Evelyn Clair (Nester) Fee of Brookings, SD, passed away in her 93 ^rd year on January 15, 2023.   Funeral Services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, January 21, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church in Brookings with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4pm until 6pm on Friday, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Evelyn was born March 27, 1929, in Jersey City, NJ, to Joseph Nester and Emma (Bailer) Nester. Her beloved twin sister, Elaine Whitehead, preceded her in death in 2011.

Evelyn spent her childhood in Allentown, PA, and Newark, NJ. In high school, she aided the WWII effort by studying part time and worked part time for Prudential Insurance. These activities became the start of a lifetime of service to others. Evelyn was the first in her family to attend university, graduating with a BA in education from Muskingum College, OH, in 1953 (Kaianu). There she met her husband, David A. Fee. They married in 1953 in Mt. Lebanon, PA. For the next ten years, Evelyn taught elementary school in New Jersey and Connecticut as David pursued graduate degrees at Princeton Seminary and Yale University. After a 2-year stay in Elon College, NC, Evelyn and David moved to Brookings SD in 1964.

For 59 years, Evelyn made Brookings her home, raising four children, and touching countless lives. She was employed by the Brookings Public School System from 1981-1999, first serving as Middle School then High School Library Assistant, followed by 10 years as Teaching Assistant in the Special Education Department. For 27 years, she was employed by United Living Community (previously United Retirement Center), retiring at the age of 84.  Upon "retirement," Evelyn continued as a volunteer at ULC up until January 7, 2023.

Evelyn poured her boundless love and energy into volunteering throughout her life.  She led Girl Scout Brownies for over 10 years, Cub Scouts for 15 years, and 4-H for 5 years.  She taught Presbyterian Sunday school for 5 years and spearheaded the AAUW annual book drive to support SDSU students.

For over 45 years, she also volunteered at the United Living Center, where she daily curated a conversation cart, so that each morning residents awoke to new learning and a bit humor. Much of this she did by bicycle, bravely learning to drive a car at age 55.

For her extraordinary service to the Brookings community, in 1987 she was presented the prestigious  South Dakota Volunteer of the Year Award by the Governor.  In 1996, she was awarded the Brookings Register Mother of the Year Award.

She was an active member of American Association of University Women, a women's book club, and exercise group. She loved her backyard garden and birds. She was a rare soul, a ray of cheerful sunshine, who selflessly and humbly gave her love to all God's creatures.  She will be terribly missed.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, David A. Fee, Sr., and her two sisters Virginia Redchuk and Elaine Whitehead.

Evelyn is survived by her 4 children David A. Fee Jr (Tracy), Charlotte, NC; Dr. Virginia Fee, Raleigh, NC; Dr. Sarah Fee (Michael Phillippo), Toronto, Canada; Rebecca Fee (Paul Johnston), St Paul, MN; 6 grandchildren (Isabel, David III, Savannah, Noah, Sarina, Oliver) and 2 great-grandchildren (Benjamin, Kehlani ).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to South Dakota Head Start Association Fund.