Kathleen Marie (Smith) Evans, 65, of Watseka and formerly of Goodwine passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

 

Kathy was born on February 2, 1961 in Glendale, Arizona, the daughter of Gayle C. Smith and Judy Pixley Smith and they preceded her in death.

 

She married Dee Evans in September of 1985. They had four children: Derek (Erin) Evans of Mackinaw, IL; Deidre (Howard) Wilson of Aledo, TX; Kristopher (Marisa) Evans of Wheaton, IL; and Kyle (Kara) Evans of Iroquois, IL.

 

Besides her children, she is survived by her brothers Jeffrey (Belinda) Smith of Houston, TX and Michael (Camellia) Smith of Sarasota, FL. She is also survived by her five grandchildren: Anna “Pix” Wilson of Aledo, TX; Cooper, Hudson and Oliver Evans of Mackinaw, IL; and Bruce Evans of Wheaton, IL. Kathy is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

 

Kathy worked as a cook at the Milford Dairy Queen in Milford, IL and prior to that a custodian at Standard Register/Uarco in Watseka, IL.

 

She enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs and Bears play. She loved spending time in Arizona and the culture of the southwest. Many close to her would say she was very proud of watching her adult children thrive - establish careers and start their own families. Kathy was a very proud military mom, as well.

 

In her younger years, she enjoyed homemaking for her four children, gardening in Goodwine, watching every episode of “Days of Our Lives”, spending time at Timbered Meadows with her former husband and kids, shopping with her daughter, going to all of her children's sporting events, Poverty Rods car club, NHRA Drag Racing events, Disney World, and family vacations to Florida. She was also a member of the VFW auxiliary.

 

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. memorial service all at the Milford Christian Church on Friday, March 6, 2026.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Watseka Area Food Pantry.

 

Please share a memory of Kathy at www.baierfuneralhome.com.