Sara J Evans

Sara Jane Shaw Evans passed away on February 6th, 2024 at the age of 86. She was surrounded by her children.

Sara was born on September 27th, 1937 in Atchison, Kansas to Benjamin and Gladys (McKee) Shaw. Shortly after, her parents and sister Barbara moved to Leavenworth, Kansas.

She graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1955 and went on to study music and play the Saxophone at the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City.
Here first job was setting up the cookie display at her fathers' grocery store, Ben's Budget. She got her nickname "Cookie" here. She went on to work at the original Hallmark in Leavenworth thru out high school and college.

Sara married Thomas Gerald Evans in Leavenworth, KS at First Christian Church on November 23, 1956. They had seven children. After retiring working with her dear friend Ed Bishop at Bishop Auto Sales in Olathe, Kansas, she quickly decided that retirement was not for her. She went to work at Walmart in the garden center so that she could rescue plants and add them to her growing collection at home. She worked at Walmart as a door greeter and people became accustomed to seeing her friendly face and welcoming smile. At age 80, she retired once again and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Sara's love of dogs and cats were well known. Her pets were many throughout her life. She loved gardening, watching the hummingbirds come and go, and watching her pet dog Frankie chase squirrels in her back yard.

Sara and her best friend Pat Effie enjoyed going to the Casinos once a month to people watch, play the slots and enjoy each other's company.
Sara loved watching Royals baseball. Her favorite player was Salvy Perez. Sara also enjoyed KU basketball. But her favorite was watching the Kansas City Chiefs play football. Especially the last few years winning the Super Bowl. Her favorite player was Isiah Pacheco. She nicknamed him Pancho.
Sara will be remembered for her love of family, her generosity, but mostly her smile.

Sara was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Louis Shaw and Gladys May McKee Shaw. Her sister Barbara Jean Shaw Krueger. Her mother-in-law Nina D Evans. Her Great Grandson Mason Thomas Olson.

Survivors include her three daughters, Debra Evans Howard and husband Michael of Paola, KS. Karen Evans Fowler and husband David of Auburn, KS. Melissa Evans of Shawnee Mission, KS. Her four sons, Kevin Evans of Hartford, CT, Christopher Evans of Olathe, KS. Thomas Evans of Kansas City, KS. Alan Evans and wife Renee (nee Knight) of Stillwell, KS. Two nieces, Kim Krueger Hauser and husband Donald, Conover, North Carolina and Karol Krueger LaCroix and husband Tim, Cary, North Carolina. Fifteen Grandchildren, Twenty six Great Grandchildren, and two Great Great Grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 13th at Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, Olathe, Kansas at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Interment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens in Leavenworth, KS.

To share a memory of Sara or leave a special message for her family please visit the guestbook below.