Evelyn Marie VanLeeuwen Hoogland

Evelyn Marie VanLeeuwen Hoogland, our beloved matriarch and lifelong resident of Ogden, passed away at the age of 100 in Eden at the home of her daughter, Kay Ann Hoogland, and son-in-law, Jim O'Brien, where she had resided the past seven years.

Evelyn's family's journey began across the ocean. Her parents, George VanLeeuwen, Sr., and Marie Timmers VanLeeuwen, each emigrated from Amsterdam to Ogden as LDS converts. George arrived as an infant in 1887. Marie, a 16-year-old, arrived in 1905 and quickly adapted to the realities of her new Ogden home, including muddy streets that ruined her stylish shoes.

Born at home on October 7, 1924, Evelyn was the fifth of six children, growing up in a tight-knit Dutch neighborhood on Wall Avenue. Her childhood was marked by both joy and adversity. The Great Depression hit the family hard: her older brother, Pete, died at 19, and her father was paralyzed from a work injury and passed away in 1937. Marie kept the family afloat by cleaning homes and taking in laundry, with all the children pitching in.

At Ogden High, Evelyn was elected vice president of the pep club and an officer in Gamma, her high school sorority. After graduating in 1942, she worked as a telephone order taker for McKesson. During World War II, she moved to San Francisco, where a chance train encounter with Army Sergeant Jake Hoogland—also of Dutch descent—sparked a lifelong romance. Their wedding cake, symbolizing community support, was baked from rationed ingredients by Dutch bakers at Topper Bakery.

Evelyn and Jake settled in Ogden, raising their family with thrift and devotion. Jake worked as a truck driver for IML while Evelyn managed the household. They encouraged their three children, Sandra, Jake, and Kay Ann, to pursue higher education and meaningful careers.

Evelyn and Jake were active members of the First Presbyterian Church, where they served at different times as Sunday school teachers, leaders of youth groups, and Elders. Evelyn was a woman of deep faith and prayer.

In 1968, Evelyn rejoined the workforce as a secretary at the Golden Hours Center. Through persistence and a commitment to serve the senior population in Weber County, Evelyn was eventually promoted to Director of the Area Agency on Aging. Her vision and determination led to the creation of a state-of-the-art kitchen serving seniors across Weber and Morgan Counties. She expanded home-delivered meals, established new congregate meal sites, and launched vital programs like "The Ride" and "Senior Companions."

Evelyn's vision and drive earned her the respect of county officials and national recognition as a board member of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs.

Several years after Jake's passing, Evelyn found companionship with Glenn Geilmann, a retired Union Pacific railroader and community volunteer. They were married and together enjoyed gardening, fishing, and visits with Glenn's sons, Tim and Greg, and daughter, Bonnie Luby, and their families.

Evelyn enjoyed extensive travel with friends and family. Highlights included trips to Australia, Dubai, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Greece, and an 80th Birthday in the Netherlands with her three children. Her 90th Birthday was spent in Paris with her daughter, Kay.

Evelyn is survived by her loving family of three children and their spouses, Sandra Descary (Bill), Jake Hoogland (Ruth Ann Storey), and Kay Ann Hoogland (James O'Brien), five grandsons who adored her and enjoyed her text messages; four precious great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews who loved and honored her as the last surviving member of the family’s greatest generation. She was preceded in death by both husbands; her siblings, Peter, George, Mickey Dumas Collins, Claude "Dutch," Kenneth; and stepson, Tim Geilmann.

Evelyn's legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, her positive outlook, the senior programs she built, and the community she loved. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

A family graveside service was held at the Ogden City Cemetery, followed by an ice cream social at Farr's.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Evelyn to Weber County Meals on Wheels, 1176 W. 3300 S., Ogden, UT 84401.

Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.