Evelyn C. Polhemus

A memorial service for Evelyn C. Polhemus will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastors Murray Jones and Rhonda Wulf officiating.

Evelyn Carol Polhemus, 93 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska, passed away on June 14, 2026, at Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. Evelyn was born in Oronoque, Kansas, on July 7, 1932, the fourth of eight children, born to Leonard and Gesine (Wolzen) Smith. The family moved quite a bit while Evelyn was growing up so she went to school all around Furnas County and Phelps County, Nebraska.

On August 4, 1948, Evelyn was united in marriage to Lynn Polhemus at the Atlanta First United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Nebraska, and to this union two children were born: David and Carol. The couple made their home on the family farm between Atlanta and Loomis, Nebraska. She was known to love being outside tending all aspects of the life that entailed.

Evelyn was a woman with a rare combination of resilience and enduring joy. A devoted woman of faith, she lived her beliefs through service to her family, church, and community. As an active member of Atlanta First United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, she generously gave her time through church, the White Cross and the Red Cross.

She embraced life fully, finding meaning in both its simple pleasures and its grand adventures. She delighted in dancing, traveling, and seeking out windmills along the way. Though she faced profound loss throughout her life, she met each season with grace and gratitude, never allowing hardship to overshadow her love of life. Her positive spirit touched countless lives and served as an example to all who knew her.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lynn, in 1997; son, David Polhemus; her daughter, Carol Baumgartner; three sisters: Doris Smith; Leola Bowens; and Dorothy Freeland; one brother, Leon Smith; two brothers-in-law: James Polhemus and wife Sylvia; and Eugene Polhemus and wife, Soffia; and two sisters-in-law, Louise Smith; and Beth Pearson and husband, Thomas.

Evelyn is survived by her son-in-law, Alan Baumgartner of rural Holdrege; her grandchildren: Joel Wiser and wife, Sabine Gruensfelder of Centennial, Colorado; Jesse (Wiser) Madugula and husband, Amar of Roanoke, Texas; Jeffery Baumgartner and wife, Allison of Richmond Hill, Georgia; Joseph Baumgartner of Las Vegas, Nevada; Cody Baumgartner and his wife, Anna of Elbert, Colorado; Marisa DeWindt and husband, Derek of Agate, Colorado; Steven Baumgartner and wife, Siarah of Kearney, Nebraska; and Drew Baumgartner of Holdrege; seven great-grandchildren: John, Conner, Theo, Finn, Jonathon, Evelyn, and Victoria; two brothers: Jerry Smith; Larry Smith and wife, Dorothy; one sister, Patti Reed; along with nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Memorials in Evelyn’s honor are suggested to the family for a later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.

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