Evelyn F. Short

Evelyn Frances Short, 90, a longtime resident of Altoona and Fredonia, Kansas peacefully died January 13, 2018 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center located in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born in Flint, Michigan on March 9th, 1927 to Agnes and Roy Jones. She was an only child. In a few years the Roaring Twenties would end, and the Great Depression would begin.
Times were tough throughout Evelyn’s childhood. They were forced to return to the Ozarks of Missouri to live with relatives. For an extended period of time they lived in a house with a dirt floor. In 1942, at the age of 15, Evelyn moved with her family to San Mateo, California. At 16 she had to quit high school to work fulltime. A short time later, they moved back to Flint to live closer to other family members.
In Flint, at the age of 19 she met her future husband, Sterling Short. Sterling had recently been discharged from the naval hospital. He had spent six weeks recovering from serious wounds, suffered during WWII in the Pacific. They were married on November 4th, 1946. They bought a house trailer and Sterling worked as a pipe fitter. They traveled widely throughout the United States for Sterling’s post war employment. Evelyn had always said she wanted to marry a farmer and have four children. Within a few years, they were able to save enough money for a down payment on a farm.
On March 3rd, 1952, they moved to the farm which was located three miles southwest of Altoona Kansas. The farm was a few miles from Sterling’s parent’s farm and adjacent to his sister’s, Merima (Howard) Carver. They enjoyed almost sixty years of farm life. Evelyn stated many times that the best thing that ever happened to her was marrying Sterling. They gave each other love and stability. “I could always count on Sterling.” Sterling could always count on Evelyn.
They had four children, Wayne was born in 1949, Bruce in 1951, Debra in 1954, and Brad in 1958. Evelyn was very busy. She ran their farm household and was completely involved with their children’s school activities. After becoming empty-nesters, Evelyn and Sterling stayed busy. Evelyn took night courses and got her General Equivalency Diploma (GED). She continued her night course work and received many college credits. She became highly involved in the Wilson County Historical Society and was instrumental in many of the museum’s displays. Evelyn also became involved in driving neighbors to their doctor’s appointments and helping many with their groceries. Her car tag “Jonsey” was well known around the area.
In January 2008, Evelyn and Sterling had to leave their beloved farm because of Sterling’s failing health. In the summer of 2010 Sterling passed away. Evelyn continued to live in their apartment at Madison Square Apartments, which she loved. She found much joy and fellowship with the other residents, many whom she had known for more than fifty years. She loved and was loved by her family and friends. She especially was fond of her ten grandchildren and eight (soon to be ten) great-grandchildren. She had many loving nieces and nephews that viewed her as their second mom. She will be deeply missed by all.
Visitation will be held this Saturday January 20th at the Wickham Family Funeral Home, 510 N 7th St, Fredonia, KS from 10:30 AM to 12 Noon. Evelyn wanted only a family gravesite service, which will follow immediately after the visitation. Her body will be interred in the Short Family Plot at High Prairie Cemetery next to the love of her life, Sterling Short. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Fredonia Educational Foundation, USD 484 Board of Education Office, P O Box 539, Fredonia, KS 66736. On the memo line please note: Clothes Closet; Evelyn Short.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Sterling, in 2010. They are survived by:
Children: Wayne Sterling Short (Mary) of Andale, KS; Bruce Herschel Short, MD (Mary Jane) of Olathe, KS; Debra Frances Mitchell (Steve) of Olathe, KS; and Brad Cecil Short (Barb) of Richmond, KS.
Grandchildren: Chris, Devin, William (Karyna), Philip, Jennifer (John), Kellie (Chris), Trevor, Jeff, Sara (Jason), and Scott (Kerri).
Great-grandchildren: Ryder, Brandon, William, Valentina, Ellie, Ian, Kylar, and Eli.