Evelyn Gooder
December 4, 1909 — April 16, 2013
Evelyn Margaret (McKeever) Gooder, age 103, of Duluth, the last survivor of the McKeever siblings, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013 in Duluth. She was born December 4, 1909 in Duluth to Edward and Elizabeth (Supple) McKeever. Evelyn, the youngest of eight children, was a 1927 graduate of Cathedral Girls School, followed by a St. Mary's Hospital and St. Scholastica nursing degree.
Evelyn married William John Gooder in 1935 and they celebrated 59 years of marriage.
Evelyn loved nursing and after raising five children returned to nursing at St. Mary's Hospital in the 1970's.
She was extremely proud of her faith, Irish family heritage and her Duluth pioneer roots. Her grandfather Patrick McKeever and her uncle John arrived in Duluth in 1874 from County Monahan, Ireland. They built an abode on Chester Creek below Fourth Street and after 9 years were able to send for Patrick's wife, Anna Conley and son Edward, who then was able to send passage to Duluth for future wife Elizabeth Supple of Liverpool, England.
Evelyn loved cards, coins and stamps, dolls, hockey, fishing, all games and making costumes for her children's activities. She taught pool in Duluth and to all her grandchildren. She and Bill were active in the Duluth Curling and Skating Club.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1994 and seven siblings.
Evelyn is survived by her children: Elizabeth (Jim) Krezowski of Minn. and CO, William (Katie) of Duluth, Diane Doty of FL., Edward (Korlyn) of St. Paul, Minn. and Annabelle Genereau of Barnum; 25 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and dear friends, especially her caregivers at the Franciscan Health Center on Park Point.
The Evelyn Gooder Family would like to take this opportunity to thank the Franciscan Health Center for the care given to her in the past 10 years by the Management Staff, Kitchen, Housekeeping, Nursing, Activities, and Maintenance. We would like to give a Very Special Thank You to the Nurses Aids who loved and cared for her.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 3-5pm, with wake prayers at 3:00pm, at Dougherty Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 AM Monday, April 22, 2013 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth, 727-3555.