Evelyn Slepicka

EVELYN V. SLEPICKA, age 98, of rural Maple Park, formerly of Wheaton/ Glen Ellyn, passed away peacefully, Tuesday morning, February 7, 2006, at Delnor Community Hospital, Geneva, where she had recently become a patient.She was born January 12, 1908, in Chicago, IL, the fourth of six children. Evelyn grew up in the old Pilsen neighborhood where she attended Blessed Agnes Catholic Church and School. Her husband, Frank O. Slepicka grew up in Oak Park and they met through some of his college friends. Although it was the height of the great Depression, the two were wed and set out in search of their dream. Together, they would face many hardships but their mutual vision, devotion and perseverance would bear fruit in due season. Frank wanted to be an architect but no one was building in those years, so he became a teacher. Evelyn had a head for business and found her way into real estate. Together, their hearts longed to own a farm. Eventually, their abilities in other fields brought them a field and a farm of their own.Shortly after WW II, Evelyn’s connections captured some land in DuPage County, 15 miles west of the last suburban stoplight, in Elmhurst. They commuted every day, some 25 miles, to and from Amundson High School, where Frank taught and the Austin neighborhood where Evelyn worked. Evelyn soon moved her real estate business to Wheaton. Home was then closer, although "home" was an 1880’s farmhouse with no running water or heat. Frank bought a plow, and unfortunately, a stubborn horse that refused to pull it. He solved his "horse power" problem with a used McCormick-Deering 10-20 and planted his first field of corn. It was hard work, teaching and farming, but even then it was only half of their dream. Part two was a dairy farm. Their first cow, "Curtis Candy Favorite", was a Holstein purchased from the Curtis Candy Company. Through the years that followed, joined by their son, Frank, Jr., they gradually built the herd to 60 cows. In the late 1950’s, they built a large dairy barn.Evelyn, ever the devoted wife, mother and realtor, was determined to have a better home in the country. She found the home she wanted in Glen Ellyn and had it moved to the farm! Now, modern life began with all the benefits of running water and a telephone. As growth began creeping through DuPage County, they were forced to sell their herd and search for a place to start over. It was with some fear and trepidation they moved to the far-west land of Maple Park but they soon found it to be a warm and pleasant farming community. Evelyn and Frank made another leap of faith and gave up their city jobs to farm full-time. Evelyn, who had once raised baby chicks beneath their porch in the city, brought her business head to farming. Quick with figures and feisty to a fault, she could haggle prices with any man, and often did. Those same men might have wondered at the fact that there was an "Eve" side to Evelyn that had a tender heart for any animal. Evelyn also painted beautifully in watercolor and wrote poetry, speaking of her love and her spirituality. Among her journals, which chronicled everything from the weather and the price of corn to her feelings and her faith, she wrote these words: "My husband loves to work. My husband loves to toil. If there is no God in heaven. He must be in the soil". Over the years, many of her poems were published in the Wheaton Daily Journal. Following Frank’s death, her husband and her soul mate, in 1998, Evelyn continued to make her home near Maple Park, painting and writing until her fingers could no longer manage either task. To the end, she loved the land and never tired of watching the seasons of her fields and sharing the lives of her loved ones.She is survived by one son, Frank V. (Claire) Slepicka, Jr. of rural Maple Park, IL; 4 grandchildren; Frank B. (Elizabeth) Slepicka of Chicago, IL, Nancy Slepicka Fehr of West Chicago, IL, Tim (Elva) Slepicka of Batavia, IL and Jim (Chris) Slepicka of Delafield, WI; 3 great-grandchildren: Kate, Shane and Skyler Slepicka; many nieces and nephews and great- nieces and nephews.The last of her generation, she is preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Anton and Aloise (Kasik) Vrhel, and five siblings: Anton, Edward, Louis, James and Frances.A memorial has been established to benefit her church and various animal charities. Memorial checks may be made to the EVELYN SLEPICKA MEMORIAL and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Memories and tributes may be made through his obituary at www.conleycare.com. Information 1-800-8CONLEY. Arrangements through Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 9, 2006, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, from 4-9pm with a Rosary at 4:15pm and wake service at 8pm. The Rev. Monsignor William Clausen will celebrate her funeral mass Friday, February 10, 2006, at The Church of St. Mary, Maple Park, IL at 10:30am with a brief visitation at church from 9:30am until 10:15am.

Interment will follow at Blackberry Cemetery, Elburn.