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Dr. Rouner began her teaching career in the Amana Colonies, then went to Hesston College in the 1950’s, then to the University of Illinois for her doctorate, then Central Michigan University for the major part of her career, then to Goshen College to lead the continuing education program, and then Greencroft Retirement Center as a consultant. She was usually ahead of her time, which led to some stress, some praise, and some humor. At Hesston, she taught a group of young men who wanted to learn proper etiquette. She taught sewing to community women, and when the administration objected to a “Fashion Show,” she held a “Stitches in Review.” She taught students to do nutrition experiments with white rats, and on one occasion pulled one out of her pocket to lend a bit of humor at a faculty meeting. At Central Michigan University, she was one of the first in the nation to teach sex education at the college level. She was a pioneer in teaching marriage and family and early childhood education, and served as department chair for over 20 years. She chaired the Michigan Governor’s Task Force on the Family through two administrations. For these and other accomplishments, she received regional and national awards from professional associations.
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It was at Central Michigan University that Tami and I first learned to know Dr. Rouner. She was Tami’s advisor, and I took one class from her, just for the experience. She had very high standards – not because she thought some students should fail, but because all should succeed. Tami said, “She pulled things out of me I didn’t know I had, and helped me do more than I ever thought I could.” Dr. Rouner was rigorous, and somewhat unorthodox in her teaching. She was not above standing on a desk to make her point. I remember her saying that if we didn’t spend at least $400 a year on books, we couldn’t call ourselves professional educators. To this day, our tax accountant asks us every year if we really spent that much money on books and subscriptions. She believed that all teaching should be grounded in theory and research, and demanded that her students be thorough in their literature reviews. There were no shortcuts for her.
After retiring from salaried positions, Evelyn moved in 1986 to Colwich, Kansas, to be closer to her family. But her passion for progress continued. She became the book editor for the town’s centennial celebration. As she said, “What better way to learn to know the community?” She also became a member of the library board, wrote a grant, and a new library now serves that community as a result of her efforts.
When the tornado hit Hesston in 1990, she became the coordinator for the distribution of donated items, and also compiled a book that recorded the tornado itself and the rebuilding effort. After she moved to Hesston, she began to work with senior activities and laid the groundwork for an organization. She wrote several grants and organized a board, and now a new senior center, located on Main Street between the business district and Hesston College, serves hundreds of people in Hesston.
One of Dr. Rouner’s lifelong passions was to encourage interaction between the generations. She loved her neighborhood in Hesston, because she said she had Clara Kauffman, then in her 90’s, on one side, a family with young children on the other side, and a family with high schoolers across the street. Through her efforts, senior citizens in Hesston now serve as volunteer staff for after school programs and as crossing guards before and after school.
Dr. Rouner influenced hundreds of people through her teaching and her warm, generous spirit. Friendships were very important. Her Christmas card and gift list was longer than anyone else I have known. The postmasters in every city she has lived in will always remember her. She loved life and celebrated it. She bought herself a Mustang in her late 70’s, and planned her own 80th birthday party celebration.
Our family had the special honor of being adopted by Evelyn. For over 10 years, she was with us nearly every Saturday morning for coffee, celebrated holidays with us, and faithfully attended all the concerts, plays, and dance recitals of our children. She taught us the art of “toasting” (with juice, of course), and gave the first toast at our daughters’ weddings. At the last Christmas celebration with us, Evelyn presented both Tonya and Talashia with boxes containing all the programs of their performances. She often looked at them and then at Tami and me and said “There is your greatest legacy.” Our friends learned to love her too. When Tami and I or Tonya or Talashia would invite friends over, they often asked, “Will Evelyn be there?” We know her as a generous, highly opinionated, strong-willed, and loving spirit. We were present when she left this life for the next and helped to plan her memorial service. In true Evelyn fashion, the service included a reading of The Velveteen Rabbit, a dance, and a jazz saxophonist performing “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
We are proud to be part of Evelyn’s legacy. Our granddaughter bears Evelyn’s name and is a reminder of the wonderful privilege we have had to know her.
As a part of her legacy, Dr. Rouner left a sum of money to Goshen College to advance the cause of early childhood education. Kathryn Aschliman, her good friend and member of Goshen's Education Department, proposed that the money be used to unite the early childhood efforts across the Mennonite Church through the Mennonite Education Agency. This led to the formation of the Mennonite Early Childhood Network. The organization is now in a position to help young children and families across the church. Dr. Rouner would be pleased. |
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