Evelyn Korinek, 98, formerly of Friend, peacefully passed away on Friday, January 19th, 2018 surrounded by the love of her family at the Wilber Care Center.

She was born on November 14th, 1919, the second oldest of six children to Charles and Francis (Kubicek) Vavra on the family farm southeast of Crete. She attended country school district 52 through the eighth grade, and then went to work on the family farm.

On October 8th, 1940, Evelyn was united in marriage to John M. Korinek at the Saline County courthouse. They were happily blessed with two children, Esther and Johnny, during their 71 year marriage.

They started their life together living with his parents for a year, then moved to a rented farm southwest of Dorchester for five years. They purchased their own farm southeast of Friend in 1946. In 1968, they moved one mile south to a farm owned by their daughter. They lived on this farm until 1990, when they retired to Friend. Evelyn lived in her house until November 2016 and then moved in with her daughter. In August 2017 she entered the Wilber Care Center.

Evelyn enjoyed raising her family, being a homemaker, helping John with the farming and raising livestock and poultry. She worked at various jobs throughout her long life at the Seward Egg plant and Formfit Rogers factory in Crete. She loved to garden and you could find her out digging up the dirt preparing her garden while still in her 90's. She loved to play cards with her family and friends and go dancing to polka music with her beloved John. Evelyn loved to spend time with her daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with whom she had a special bond.

She is survived by her daughter Esther Johnson, Friend; grandchildren, Jody (Jason) Church, Omaha, NE and Troy (Rise) Johnson, Naples, FL; great-grandchildren John and Jackson Church and Matthew Johnson; sisters Ellaurine Klasek, Western, Jean Skala, Crete, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband John Korinek; son Johnny Korinek, sisters Silvia Vavra and LaVerne (Glenn) Johnson, and brother Stanley (Kathy) Vavra.

Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 25th, 2018, at Kuncl Funeral Home, Crete. Interment at Wilber Czech Cemetery of Wilber. Visitation with the family is on Wednesday, January 24th, 2018 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kuncl Funeral home. In honor of Evelyn, please feel free to wear her favorite color purple. Memorials in care of the family.