Evelyn Havey

Evelyn E. Havey (Dirienzo), of Sheboygan Falls, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 16, 2022 in West Bend. She was 90 years old.

Evelyn was born June 3, 1931 in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of Joseph and Francis (nee Beck) Dirienzo. She graduated in 1949 from Edgewood High School in Madison.  She earned a scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin, but gave it to another student who pursued a professional career in music and dance.

On August 26, 1950, she married Wayne Havey in Madison, WI.  The couple lived in Deadwood, South Dakota and Silver Lake, Minnesota before settling in Sheboygan Falls in 1957. They bought their home in Sheboygan Falls in 1959 where she lived until her death.

Her proudest job was being a devoted wife of 66 years to Wayne, who preceded her in death in 2016, mother to her three children, and grandmother of six.  In her early years she worked as the assistant to a bank president where her art skills were used to hand draw cattle brands on loan documents for ranchers borrowing money for thousands of head of cattle.  In 1974, she and Wayne went into business together buying and managing their own rental property.   Later on, they co-founded Havey-Sauer Tours and hosted thousands of friends on Square Dance Convention tours and other trips from Alaska to the Caribbean and Hawaii to Europe.

Evelyn was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls, and a former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she had been involved with the Christian Mothers and Campfire Girls.  She was a founding member of the Kettle Square Dancers, and enjoyed 30 years of “winter” in Florida, traveling, camping and nature.  She displayed her patriotism proudly by regularly flying the American flag. She also enjoyed attending live country music concerts and watching sports including her favorite Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and UW Badgers.  Above all, she cherished family gatherings and loved having everyone together. She will be remembered for her years of selfless caregiving of her husband Wayne when his health was failing.

Evelyn is survived by her children: Kelly (John) Mess of Bellevue, WA, Heidi Timm (Chuck Ritzenthaler) of West Bend, WI and Kim (Mike Bisping) Havey of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren: Chelsey (David) Hogarth, Danielle Timm, Katie Mess, Andrew Mess, Sophie Tonander and Ava Tonander; great-grandchildren: Dustin Mess and Hallie Evelyn Hogarth; sister Marjorie (Alvin) Johnson of DeForest, WI; special families of Mary and Myron Sime, Brenda and Tim Hine, Dale and Patti Nicholls; other relatives and countless friends.

Relatives and friends may gather at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls for family visitation on Thursday, March 24th from 1:00-3:30pm.  Funeral services will follow to celebrate Evelyn’s life at 3:30pm with Rev. Rob Schrader officiating. Please join the family for a lunch following the service to share your favorite memories of Evelyn.  She will be laid to rest at Gardens of Peace Mausoleum in the Town of Sheboygan on Friday March 25, 2022.

All are welcome to view a livestream of Evelyn’s service at wenig.live/EvelynHavey

A memorial fund is being established in Evelyn’s name for St. Paul Lutheran Church and The Salvation Army.

Wenig Funeral Home – Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting the family. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolences and additional information.