Evelyn M. Irving, 90, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday December 17, 2011 surrounded by her family and friends. She courageously battled COPD for many years and was able to maintain a positive outlook throughout. She was blessed with a great attitude, strong Swiss heritage and living independently her entire life.

An open house will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Kishwaukee Country Club, 1901 Sycamore Road, DeKalb from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, immediately followed by a Celebration ceremony of her life led by Rev. Brian Gilbert of the First Methodist Church.

Ev, fondly known as "Chipmunk", was born in Rochelle on July 28, 1921, the daughter of Warren and Bertha (Krahenbuhl) Cronk. She had a brother Buzz Cronk and sister, Millie Askvig. She graduated from Rochelle High School in 1939 and then attended Northern Illinois Teachers College. She married Ralph D. Irving in 1942 and had four children. She is survived by sons Bryant & Janet Irving, Steve and TJ Irving, Don and partner Leonard Legrand all of DeKalb, three wonderful grandchildren, Kim & (Jody) Owen of Lincoln, California, Stephanie and Peter Irving of DeKalb and great grandchildren Tyler, Emily & Bethany.

Ev worked multiple jobs to support her family, clerking at Gontermans Jewelry Store, housing students and teaching bridge lessons. She returned to college in her mid-50?s and graduated from NIU with a degree in Special Education and taught a few years in the DeKalb School system. In 1974, she co-founded Irving Construction Co., Inc. with her son, operating initially out of her basement. She was instrumental in the construction of many prominent buildings in the DeKalb area including the renovation of the Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb County Courthouse, restoration of the Hopkins Park Shelter House and DeKalb Pond Fisk re-development to mention a few. In the early 1980?s, she conceived of the idea of building luxury town homes for long term residents desiring to downsize and stay in town. Over a period of 6 years, this idea developed into the The Fairways, The Golf Villas and Golf View town home projects, where she lived for the past 26 years.

Ev?s life was filled with world travel. She toured her ancestral homeland of Switzerland touring the towns of Lucerne, Geneva and Zurich and applied the names to a housing development on the south side of DeKalb. In addition, she toured Italy and the Vatican, Jerusalem, rode camels at the pyramids in Egypt, snorkeled the reef in Australia and visited New Zealand, Canada, Puerto Rico, England, France and Germany. In her early 60?s, she attempted to snow ski and wisely gave that up.

She was an avid golfer and served as the President of the Women?s Golf league at Kishwaukee Country Club, a past member of the First Methodist Church in DeKalb, serving as a Sunday school teacher and a master Bridge player, having attained the highest designation as a Grand Master.

She loved people, loved life and was accepting of all walks of people. She opened her home to those in need and helped many people.

Her family would like to thank her caregiver Renee Olson, her dear friend Dee Roach and DeKalb County Hospice for their wonderful assistance to her care.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, sister and son Timothy in 1994.

Private interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hope Haven Homeless Shelter at 1145 Rushmore Drive, DeKalb or in care of Ronan Moore Finch Funeral Home. To send an online condolence visit: www.ronanmoorefinch.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak Street DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.

Service:
Thursday, December 29, 2011

7:00pm

Kishwaukee Country Club
Visitation:
Thursday, December 29, 2011

4:00pm to 7:00pm

Kishwaukee Country Club