Evelyn A. Mayer, 96, a longtime rural Racine resident, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, of natural causes at Meadow Manor Health Care Center in Grand Meadow.

Evelyn Agnes King was born May 18, 1914, in Racine Township to Curtin and Amanda (Utzinger) King. She grew up on the family farm, attended rural schools and graduated from Spring Valley High School and Austin Normal School. She then taught in one room elementary schools in the Racine area. She was married Nov. 12, 1932, in Cresco, Iowa, to Henry A. Mayer. After their marriage the couple farmed west of Racine for several years and at their present farm for 74 years. Mrs. Mayer was a farmwife and homemaker and after their family was raised was employed at Johnson Chick Hatchery in Spring Valley and Racine, and Kappers Construction in Spring Valley and at Glen Miller Interior Design in Rochester. In 1970 she opened Patio Place Antiques at the farm and operated it for 20 years. Mr. Mayer was a farmer and insurance agent and died in 1996. Mrs. Mayer moved to The Meadows assisted living facility in 2001. She was a past member of the former Evangelical United Brethren Church in Racine and was a current member of the Racine United Methodist Church where she was active in its U.M.W., played piano for the choir and taught Sunday school. She was a charter member of the Red Wing Pottery Society and was active in 4-H, the county extension service and the Mower County Fair. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and crocheting afghans for her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include a daugther and two sons, Ken (Kay) of Las Vegas, Nev.; Marlin (Mary) of Mesa, Ariz.; Marlene (Ed) Dibble of Houston, Texas. 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren. Two sisters, Marjorie Williams of Portage, Wis. and Della Young of Hawthorne, Nev. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry, her parents and two sisters. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Racine United Methodist Church with Rev. Glen Holland officiating. Burial will be at the Racine Salem Cemetery. A second obituary will run the week of the services with times and dates. The family prefers no flowers be sent at this time. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville.