Pauline Alberta Branz Hardesty Evans

Pauline Alberta Branz Hardesty Evans, 96, of Sun City West, AZ, passed away on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017, at The Woodmark in Sun City where she had resided since August 2013.A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 19, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 13658 W. Meeker Boulevard, Sun City West, Arizona. Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sibley, Illinois, at a later date. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society.Pauline was born December 5, 1920, to George and Hilda Branz in a farm home near Sibley, Illinois. She grew up on the farm, attended Sibley Grade School and graduated from Sibley Community High School in 1938 as valedictorian of her class. She attended Illinois State Normal University.She married George Hardesty on February 2, 1941. They had two sons, Larry and Ronald. George was killed in a farm accident on April 13, 1965.In August of 1966, Pauline received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, graduating with honors from Illinois State University.She received her Masters from Illinois State University in 1974.She taught elementary education in the Illinois school systems of Fairbury, Melvin-Sibley, Gibson City, and Havana.On June 26, 1971, she married John Evans, and moved to the Evans family farm in Forest City, Illinois. They retired in 1983 moving to Sun City West, Arizona. John passed away on May 23, 2011.Pauline was an active member of Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Sun City West, Arizona, where she served as a Stephen Minister. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an education honor society. She was honored and recognized for volunteering over 10,000 hours at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West, Arizona.She enjoyed traveling and traveled in the United States, Canada, Europe and New Zealand.She took great pride in her family and was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be greatly missed.Pauline is survived by her children, Larry (Sharon) Sun City, Arizona, and Ron (Nancy) of Saint Peter, Minnesota, two grandchildren, Kevin (Lisa) Hardesty, and Janene (Jim) Kalina, and seven great-grandchildren, Blake, McKenzie, Seth and Payton Hardesty, and Megan, Abby and Elizabeth Kalina, one brother, Merton Branz, Gibson City, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Lyle Branz, Orvin Branz, and Burl Branz.Online condolences may be left for the family at www.nationalcremation.com