Beth Evans

Elizabeth "Beth" Hancock Evans passed away Thursday, February 14, 2013 at Mercy Living Center South. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM, Monday, February 18, 2013. Burial will be in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bob, Corky and Nick Evans, Lee Kibler, Jeff Siqueira and Scott Marcucci. She was born on August 2, 1936 to Courtland and Elizabeth (Coman) Hancock, and lived all her life in Clinton. She was a graduate of Clinton High School, Our Lady of Angels Academy, and Attended Rockford College, in Rockford, Illinois. Beth was an avid horse woman, winning many awards, with her riding skills. Her love for horses and riding was passed on to her children. She and her children enjoyed all breeds of horses but had a special fondness for Missouri Fox Trotters. They all enjoyed riding and showing horses as a family hobby. She spent much of the summer months at a second home in the Minocqua Wis. area on Fence Lake part of the Lac du Flambeau chain of lakes. In the winter months the family would go snowmobiling in the areas surrounding the family home. She and her children carried on this tradition throughout most of her life. It was while at Rockford College that Beth married Robert "Bob" Evans. In 1960 they moved back to Clinton where their three children were born and raised. Beth's ancestry dates back to the early lumber barons, William J. Young who owned and operated one of the largest sawmills on the Mississippi River. W. J. Young Co. owned large tracts of timber ground in Wisconsin and Minnesota near the River. They cut the trees into long logs, floated them down river to Clinton Iowa, where they were cut into millions and millions of board feet of lumber that was shipped west as the nation expanded from the East to West Coast. The W. J. Young Co. owned many paddle wheel tow boats that floated the logs down river in massive tows. W. J. Young Co. owned the Clinton Herald Newspaper and founded the Clinton National Bank. They bought the Clinton Street and Railway system, an inter-urban line running between downtown Clinton and Lyons. They also owned the toll bridge over the Mississippi River until the federal government bought it in the early 1950's and constructed the existing bridge. Beth's father Courtland "Court" was publisher of the Clinton Herald and President of the W. J. Young Co. along with his two sisters Florence Young Notman, and Molly Young Burke. In the 1960's the Notman's sold their interest in the W. J. Young Co. In the late 1980's Beth and her children sold the Clinton Herald, while the Burke Family retained the Clinton National Bank. In her later years, Beth enjoyed watching and encouraging her sons as they raced Formula cars with the SCCA. She also enjoyed exotic animals including her beloved cougar, Alexis. Beth was a huge animal lover and was known for her generosity and adopting pets with special needs. Every holiday was spent at Beth's house surrounded by her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. Beth especially enjoyed her Annual Christmas Eve Party and 4th of July Celebration complete with a grand fireworks display. Survivors include her sons, Courtland “Corky” Evans and Robert “Bob” (Carissa) Evans both of Clinton; daughter, Catherine “Betty” (Scott) Evans-Marcucci of Reedsburg, WI; grandchildren, Nick, Allie (Lee Kibler), Emily, Jeff, Eden, Nathan, Nick and Matt. Preceding her in death were her father and mother Courtland and Elizabeth Hancock. Memorials may be made to Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. at www.gftpln.org or to your favorite charity.

Beth Evans

August 2, 1936 - February 14, 2013