Evelyn Copeland

Funeral services for Evelyn Copeland were held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Burton, NE, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating.

Music was provided by Deb Powell, pianist and soloist.

Honorary casket bearers were Jim Doyle, Scott Ritterbush, Bruce Ritterbush, Mike Copeland, Larry Shepperd, Doug Shepperd, and Jim Dinklage.

Burial was in the Olive Branch Cemetery in Mills, NE. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Evelyn Elizabeth (Polley) Copeland was born September 17, 1932, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to William and Mary Sklepowich Polley. She was raised in the Winnipeg area and resided there for 33 years.

As a result of her first marriage, Evelyn had two children, Kenneth Wilfred Menard and Keith Allen Menard. In 1965, she relocated to Omaha and a year later to Fort Calhoun, NE. Evelyn was then married to Kenneth Copeland. They moved to Grand Island and eventually retired to Mills, NE, in August of 1980.

Evelyn was employed in the insurance industry for 32 years. During retirement. She did volunteer work at the Keya Paha County Historical Society in Springview doing research, giving tours, and surprising visitors with fresh baked cookies in the kitchen exhibit. She also worked as a teacher’s aide at the District 3 School at Mills. She enjoyed knitting, baking cookies, gardening, and researching family history.

Evelyn passed away May 26, 2024, at Bryan Health West in Lincoln, NE, at the age of 91 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Mary Sklepowich Polley; husband Kenneth Copeland; and sister Doreen de Roos Poole.

Surviving are her sons: Kenneth and wife Gail Menard, and Keith and wife Shirley Menard of Grand Island, NE; granddaughter Kelsey Weiss and husband Travis Weiss; sisters Adeline McIntosh, Victoria Richards of Toronto, Canada, and Rosemarie Cuddy of Vancouver, Canada; four greatgrandchildren; as well as many other nieces and nephews.