Evelyn M. Braa was born May 5, 1917 at rural Fedora to Howard and Ida (Clarke) Kelsey. She graduated from Fedora High School and on December 25, 1936 married Carl Braa. They resided in Rockford, IL until the fall of 1945, when they returned and purchased a farm south of Fedora. In 1962 they also established a launderette in Artesian, which they operated until it was destroyed by fire in 1970. After the fire they moved and built a new home in Artesian and she took over the café. They wintered in Harlingen, TX for 22 years.
She is survived by her husband, Carl; three sons: Dennis Braa, Sioux Falls; Curtis Braa, Waukegan, IL; and Doug (Becky) Braa, Mokena, IL; five grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three brothers: Burdett, Boyd and Blair Kelsey, four sisters: Lavon Gault, Bernetta Root, Bethel Hall and Bona May Murry.
Evelyn was a lovely lady.