EVELYN HALBIN, 95 RIDOTT - Evelyn Halbin, 95, of Ridott, IL, died Saturday December 13, 2014 at Presence St. Joseph in Freeport. She was born on June 30, 1919 in Ayshire, Iowa, the daughter of Paul and Ragna (Johnson) Thompson. After Paul's death in 1927 Evelyn and her mother returned to Norway. Upon their return to the United States four years later they settled in Creston, IL. After Evelyn's graduation from high school she moved to Rockford, IL., where she met Ralph, her husband of 73 years. Evelyn married Ralph on August 17, 1941 in Rockford. In 1943 they moved to Freeport and raised three children. Ralph passed away on July 11, 2014. In 1958 when Ralph opened the Freeport Farm and Home store Evelyn worked by his side for the duration of the business. Evelyn and Ralph also worked side by side building their home. Evelyn often talked about the process and laughed that her favorite job was carrying all those bricks. Evelyn was a wonderful cook, passing down many delicious recipes to her family. She was also an avid flower gardener surrounding her home with many beautiful flowers inside and out. Evelyn was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Evelyn is survived by two sons, John (Kay) Halbin of Freeport, and Roger (Rachel) Halbin of Ridott; son-in-law, Roger Myers of Freeport and granddaughter Natalie Jean Myers of Phoenix, AZ. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ralph; daughter, Patricia (Roger) Myers and her grandson, Scott Halbin. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Evelyn's memory. Please sign the guestbook and share a memory at www.burketubbs.com.