Evelyn Jean Garrett, 96, of Washington, formerly of Wayland, died Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Halcyon House in Washington.
A graveside service for friends and family will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Finley Cemetery south of Wayland with Pastor Michael Swartzendruber officiating. In keeping with Evelyn’s easy-going nature, casual attire is requested. The graveside service will be live streamed on the Beatty-Peterseim Funeral Home Facebook page and YouTube channel. Open visitation (family not present) will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. The family requests no flowers, but memorials in Evelyn’s name may be designated to Finley Cemetery or the Wayland Mennonite Church.
Evelyn was born July 6, 1930, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence “Bud” Ellis and Mabel Anna (Meyer) Roth. She was baptized in 1941 at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church and later transferred her membership to Wayland Mennonite Church, where she remained an active member.
Evelyn attended Prospect School, graduated from Wayland High School in 1947, attended the University of Northern Iowa, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Iowa Wesleyan College.
On March 10, 1956, she was united in marriage to Boyd Garrett at Wayland Mennonite Church. The couple made a home on their farm near Wayland, where they shared nearly forty years of marriage until Boyd’s death in 1995.
Evelyn devoted her life to education and teaching. She taught at Maple Grove School for four years, Wayland Schools for six years, and WACO Community Schools for twenty-four years. She treasured keeping in touch with many of her former students and enjoyed hearing about their lives and accomplishments.
Her faith, family, and friends were the center of her life. She also enjoyed quilting and cross-stitching. Evelyn was quick-witted, kind-hearted and extended grace to everyone she met.
Survivors include her children, Jane Garrett of Washington, Iowa, Patrick (Vicki) Garrett of Iowa City, Iowa, and Jeff (Karla) Garrett of Washington, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Brynna (Craig) Hemsath and their children, Hayden, Garrett, Eli, and Mae; Jordan (Kate) Garrett and their children, Lottie and Judah; Cameron (Anna) Garrett and their children, Charli, Nora, Amelia, and Patrick; Braedan (Miriam) Garrett and their children, Maura, Grace, and Quinn; Alecia Burden and her children, Kenadie, Briyelle, Beckham, and Kaiser; Jacob (Micah) Garrett and their children, Boyd and Alden, with a baby girl expected soon; and Makenzie Garrett and her child, Angela. She is also survived by her brother, Wilbur Roth of Overland Park, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Mabel Roth; her husband, Boyd Garrett; her brothers, Max Roth and Russell Roth; and her infant great-granddaughter, Adelyn Faith Hemsath.
