Evelyn K. Garver

Evelyn K. Garver (Kraszewski) passed away on August 11, 2023 at the age of 96. Evelyn graduated from Cuyahoga Falls H.S. and spent her life in the Akron area. She was a member of St. Matthew Parish. The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love she left behind.

In 1951, while working at The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Evelyn met and married Leonard Kraszewski with whom she had five surviving children. She was loved and will be missed by David (Mary) Kraszewski, Martha (Richard) Jeffries, Paul (Donna Thomas) Kraszewski, Amy (George) Murray and Anne-Marie (John) Lahr. She will be forever in the hearts of her six grandchildren: Mary Del Rio, Mike Kraszewski, Justin Jeffries, Jennifer (Thomas) Hasson, Jaclyn (Jordan) Fee, Lydia Kraszewski, and great-grandson Owen Hasson. Evelyn was an extraordinary woman, advocating for social justice and change before it was fashionable. Her strength of character was admired by her friends and colleagues.   

After Leonard’s untimely death in 1966, Evelyn re-entered the working world to raise her five children. Her career path took her to the University of Akron. While working at “the U”, she studied for a degree in English which she earned in 1987 graduating on the same day as her youngest daughter. She accomplished her much-desired goal by bribing and cajoling her teacher into giving her a passing grade in her final Math Functions course.

After retiring, Evelyn married Roger B. Garver with whom she spent 28 years before Roger passed away in 2017. Roger brought warmth, laughter and goodness into the lives of Evelyn and her children and continued to love his four daughters: Jill (James) Nelson, Jacque (James) Rolland, Jeannie (Efrain) Romero and JoAnn (Dennis Bartek) Garver and their families.

Along with her and Roger’s children, Evelyn is survived by 18 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Carol Kraszewski.

The family would like to express appreciation to the staff at Sunrise Senior Living and Traditions Hospice for the compassionate and loving care they provided Evelyn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2603 Benton Avenue, Akron, 44312. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.  A celebration of life luncheon will follow mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for memorial contributions to be made to the rheumatoid arthritis foundation at www.helpfightra.org.