Evelyne Christine Ninman

EVELYNE CHRSTINE KERCE-CONLEY-NINMAN 07-24-192 to 08-06-2018 Evelyne Christine was born on July 24, 1921 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She was welcomed into this life by her mother, Bessie Eve Wheeler-Kerce, father, Joseph Kirby Kerce (also known as Jake Senior) and her big brother Jake Kerce Junior. Evelyne moved to Oklahoma City when she was 2 years old when her father worked for the Frisco Railroad in the Roundhouse. She attended Wheeler Elementary School which was only about 6 blocks from her home for grades 1st thru 6th and she attended Capitol Hill Junior and Senior High for grades 7th thru 11th. Her family continued to grow with a sister, Naomi in 1925, a sister, Beverly in 1927, a brother Pat in 1929, another sister Ruth in 1931, and then finally another brother Robert in 1934. Her older brother Jake Junior was born in 1918. They were all a very sports minded group playing baseball and sports of all kinds. Evelyne liked to roller skate, dance, work puzzles, sewing, cross stitch as well as sing. Evelyne met and married Kenneth Franklin Conley on November 5, 1938 at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church. Ken worked for Central Dairy Products and soon they celebrated the birth of their first daughter Judith Gail born January 15, 1940. A son, Kenneth Gary soon followed born on January 17, 1943, and then a second son David Edward born on November 16, 1946. In 1943 her husband Kenneth had been drafted in the US Army. His training was in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and he went to Virginia to go overseas. After being wounded he was sent home from the service in 1945 where he returned to Central Dairy Products in Oklahoma City and drove an ice cream truck. He was transferred to Gilt Edge Dairy in Norman, Oklahoma where he became a manager. This was the first time Evelyne had moved from Oklahoma City. It was during this time in 1946 when their second son David Edward was born but because he was very small at 4 pounds 12 oz. he had to remain at Poly Clinic Hospital in Oklahoma City until he grew and gained enough weight to come home. One of Evelyne's fond memories was when Kenneth had picked up David in his ice cream truck to bring him home from the hospital. Their first home in Norman was 211 W Vida Way and then they moved to 1018 Idaho Street which was a 2 story home about 7 miles east of Norman. Evelyn remembered her Dad and husband Kenneth painting and making lots of repairs on this big house. They had 5 acres with a garden, fruit trees and a beautiful view. Her Dad had brought them baby chicks and Kenneth bought some laying hens so they always had fresh eggs to sell. This was a very enjoyable time in her life. They purchased their first home in 1946 moving in from the farm to 900 Hunting Horse Trail in Norman. Evelyne also started working in 1946 doing office work for Mistletoe Express, Landsaw Furniture Company, Gilt Edge Dairy, Dr. Fred Buffington's office, and Norman Paint and Paper. She then went to work for the Norman Board of Education as a payroll clerk for 16 years retiring in 1984. Evelyne and Kenneth then purchased another home together in 1968 and moved to 219 Stanton in Norman where they had the garage converted to a family room enclosing the back porch with windows with help from her brother-in-law Wyman Wright. Eventually they also bought a house trailer and had it moved to a lot at Lake Texhoma where they spent a lot of time just relaxing with family and slowing down. Evelyne lost her husband Kenneth on January 20, 1977 when he passed away from heart failure. From 1958 thru1969 Evelyne was blessed with 5 beautiful grandchildren from her daughter Judy and husband Sherel Bruehl and 2 beautiful grandchildren from her son Gary and wife Connie Conley. She then met and married Marvin A Ninman on August 3, 1982 at the Lutheran Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Her life was completely changed as she had never owned a pair of jeans or been around horses. After retiring from the Norman Board of Education she would read all she could about the horse business and found it very interesting. Marvin who was known to go by M.A. had built a large home in the west part of Washington, Oklahoma. It was a very nice home with its own wooden dance floor in the downstairs living area. They had several barns for the horses and also 23 acres of land. Evelyne learned to ride horses and had many wonderful years together with M.A. until he passed away in 2001. She then moved to a home on Winding Ridge Circle in Norman, Oklahoma where she resided for several years with her youngest son David until being moved to the Holiday Heights nursing home in Norman, Oklahoma for the remaining years of her life. Evelyne was a member of several organizations during her life which included den mother for Boy Scouts, PTA, Sooner Bowling League and Hi Noon Business and Professional Women. She enjoyed playing Bingo every week at the nursing home and found that she didn't have enough room to keep the numerous stuffed animals and other gifts she won from always winning Bingo. Evelyne was blessed to have a large family and lived a long fulfilling life. She is preceded in death by her father Joseph Kirby Kerce, mother Bessie Eve Wheeler, brother Jake Kerce Jr., sister Naomi June Ruiz, sister Ruth Eileen Kerce, husband Kenneth Franklin Conley, son Kenneth Gary Conley, daughter Judith Gail Greenhaw, grandson Brent Anthony Bruehl and second husband Marvin Ninman. She is survived by a brother Pat Kerce , sister Beverly Jean Kerce, brother Robert Kerce, son David Edward Conley, and grandchildren, Bobby Bruehl, Brenda Deger, Cari Wilson , Neil Bruehl, Tori Troutman, and Craig Conley. She also is survived by many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Funeral Services are scheduled for 3:00 P.M. Saturday, August 11, 2018, at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery.

Evelyne Christine Ninman

July 28, 1921 - August 6, 2018