Obituary of Evelyn Gray

A Celebration of Life Service for Evelyn Gray, age 72 of Spirit Lake, Iowa, will be held at 2 pm Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Spirit Life Fellowship in Spirit Lake, Iowa.  Visitation will begin at 1 pm until service time at the church.

A memorial fund has been established to benefit Evelyn's favorite charities.

Evelyn Sue Holiday was born on October 2, 1950 in Spencer, Iowa to William “Bill” and Marietta Holiday (Gibson). They resided as a family of three in Gillett Grove, Iowa until the mid-1950’s at which point they moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa.  Evie remained in Spirit Lake for the entirety of her life, attending school and creating lifelong friendships.  

In 1968 she was married to George Gabel.  They had one daughter together, Jennifer Sue. They dissolved their marriage in 1972.  

In 1989 she married the love of her life, Craig Gray and together they built a life founded on love, trust, joy, faith, and a mutual love of life on two wheels.  They have spent the past 33 years together. 

Evie worked in many different restaurants and other service establishments throughout the Iowa Great Lakes. One of her favorite jobs was being Head Cook at Dinner Date in Spirit Lake.  She was at her best when she was in servitude to others, especially the elderly. 

Evie wore many hats in her lifetime: Daughter, Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Cousin, and Friend. She was proud of her family and showed her love the best she could. She had a love for God, her family, good rock and roll, even better wine, and cooking. She loved living in this area, but her favorite place to be was on the open road on the back of Craig’s motorcycle.  Throughout her 72 years, she created a life that she loved and a home that reflects her presence in every corner of every room. 

Her favorite saying in times of trouble was: It Is Well With My Soul. 

Evelyn Sue Gray departed this earth and joined her parents in Heaven on January 7, 2023, with family at her side.  

Left to remember and celebrate her life are her husband, Craig Gray; daughter, Jennifer Pangburn and her husband, Justin; step-son, Brandon Gray and his wife Leslie.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Matthew Wolff and his wife Krisstal, Melinda Ayers and her husband Richy, Christian Wolff and his wife Anastasia, Destinee Gray, Anabell Gray, Alecia Derocher and Brooklynn DePauw; great -grandchildren, Tessa, Hali, Athena, Korah, Brayden, Jayce, Ryder and Jah'Kyi; mother-in-law Laila Gray; and sister-in-law, Laura Seaton and her family; as well as many friends.