Evelyn Hubbell Thompson, age 97, died Friday, May 3, 2002, at St. John’s Lutheran home.

A memorial service will be held at the Albert Lea United Methodist Church on a date to be announced.

She was born in Tulare, Calif., on March 9, 1905, the daughter of Archie Elmer and Ethel Marie Hubbell. She attended schools there, and then received certification as a teacher with a music emphasis from Fresno State Teachers College.

In 1925 she and Joseph H. Thompson were married in Tulare and both received degrees at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, she magna cum laude. In 1928 they proceeded to Boston where her husband completed seminary at Boston University. Evelyn and husband served ten Methodist Churches in Arizona and California until retirement. They were a team and rejoiced in their calling. They had an interest in the world that led them to travel and to volunteer in Bolivia and Mexico. As a widow, Evelyn traveled and reported on issues and themes from six continents.

She became a resident of Albert Lea in 1988 and was eager to study, teach, and participate in groups until the end of her active life. Evelyn was an active member of the United Methodist Church, Church Women United, United Methodist Women, officer of United Methodist Women in California, longtime volunteer at St. John’s Lutheran Home, the W.C.T.U. (Women’s Christian Temperance Union) and the AAUW in California.

She continued correspondence with friends from all generations and many countries. Evelyn was a role model and inspiration for her family and many friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Thora Jervey and her husband Dr. Edward Jervey of Radford, Va., and their sons, David, Warren and Tom; son, Dr. Thoburn F. Thompson and his wife Marjorie Thompson of Albert Lea and their children, Catherine James, Sarah Tonn, Susan Helgeson and Ian Thompson. In addition to the seven grandchildren, she has 12 great-grandchildren, and 10 nieces and nephews (two deceased).

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph H. Thompson on April 19,1977; parents; sister, Doris Collart; and brother, Dr. Adrian Hubbell.

Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church or the charity of a donor’s choice.