Evelyn Dickson, age 96, of 50 7th St. SE, Huron, SD, died Tuesday, January 20, 2009, at the Violet Tschetter Memorial Home.

Her body has been cremated and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Evelyn Dickson was born Evelyn Phillips on March 10, 1912, to Alvin and Lillian (Meyers) Phillips in Milwaukee, WI. She graduated from high school in Macintosh, SD, in 1930. She attended and received her teaching certificate from Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD, 1931.

On August 22, 1931, Evelyn married George Wilbur Dickson in Rapid City. Evelyn lived and taught school in several cities in South Dakota due to her husband being transferred as a school superintendent. George died on March 11, 1957.

Evelyn continued to teach, but during the summer months she attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, eventually graduating with a Bachelors Degree. She then earned her Masters Degree in Library Science from the University of Michigan in Kalamazoo. She returned to Northern State as a teacher until her retirement in 1977. During this time Evelyn was instrumental in founding the Childrens Library at Northern State where teachers were encouraged to read childrens books so as to be knowledgeable about the books content for use as a teaching tool. During this time she was a 50-year member of the Shakespeare Club, long time member of the PEO, and the SDEA.

In 1980, Evelyn moved to Sioux Falls and was active as a volunteer in the libraries at the VA Hospital, and the Presbyterian Church of which she was a member. She enjoyed playing bridge, reading, walking, traveling, and loved family gatherings. She also had taken care of a daughter who had cancer.

She is survived by 3 daughters, Lillian Joy Jacobs of Huron, Jan (Duane) Krediet of Mesa, AZ, and Jeri (Elliott) Risty of Sioux Falls; 7 grandchildren, Dave (Sandy) Krediet, Cathy (Wayne) Goethel, Mary (Stan) Triplett, Don (Mary) Jacobs, Beth (Tom) McMillan, Scott (Robin Dunnum) Jacobs, and Justin Shoemaker; 12 great grandchildren, Cory Krediet, Katie Krediet, Becky Goethel, Amy Goethel, Hope Goethel, Kyle Triplett, Craig Triplett, Cody Jacobs, Alex Jacobs, Eric Jacobs, Emma McMillan, and Julia McMillan; 2 great great grandchildren, Ryan Jacobs and Kaitlyn Jacobs; and 1 son-in-law, Roger (Karen) Shoemaker of Denver, CO.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; 1 daughter, Julia Shoemaker, 1 great granddaughter, Carrie Goethel; 1 brother, Gerald Phillips; 1 son-in-law, Donald Jacobs; and 1 sister-in-law, Marie Phillips.