Evelyn Louise Kerr, RN, age 86, passed away peacefully at home in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Born on May 4, 1940, in rural Iowa, Evelyn was the eldest of three children born to Wilbert and Mary Kerr. From an early age, she inherited her mother's creativity and resilience and her father’s generous, nurturing spirit—qualities that would define Evelyn’s life devoted to caring for others. She possessed a lively sense of humor, a quick wit, and an unmistakable radiance that energized everyone around her. Whether among family, friends, patients, or strangers, Evelyn had a remarkable gift for making people laugh, feel welcome, and believe that brighter days were always ahead.

A proud graduate of Broadlawns School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa, Evelyn earned her nursing diploma in 1961 and embarked on an extraordinary career that spanned six decades. She helped establish the very first intensive care unit at the University of Iowa Hospital in the mid-1960s, worked throughout Wisconsin and Iowa while raising her family, and ultimately embraced a life of travel nursing that took her to 36 different states and more than 170 distinct nursing assignments. Affectionately known by her colleagues as “Work Grandma,” Evelyn was a bundle of energy who could keep up with nursing colleagues nearly 60 years her junior. Her humor, optimism, and boundless enthusiasm uplifted every unit where she worked, and she never truly retired from the profession she loved: she celebrated her 80th birthday in May 2020 while working a night shift in the intensive care unit at a major Arizona hospital during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though nursing was her calling, Evelyn's talents extended far beyond the bedside. Following in the footsteps of her mother Mary, an accomplished artist, she taught painting and crafts through community colleges, operated an arts and crafts store in Lanesboro, Iowa, and shared her creativity with countless students and friends throughout the country. She found joy in the open road, driving her RV from coast to coast—often without opening a map—and arranged her nursing assignments so she could remain close to her children and grandchildren in different parts of the country. After suffering a major stroke in late 2020, Evelyn continued serving others through palliative care counseling, peer mentoring, and art therapy, embodying grace, determination, and a lifelong commitment to helping those in need. Even in adversity, her humor remained intact, and her indomitable spirit continued to inspire those around her.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her beloved son, David Graham, and her brother, Harry Kerr. She is survived by her children, Warren, Michelle, and Darren Graham; her cherished grandchildren, Trevor, Ella, Sophia, and Chloe Graham; her sister, Linda Moore (née Kerr); her nephews, Anthony and Brian Kelly Kerr; and her nieces, Deanna (née Moore) Zinno and Debra Moore. She also leaves behind countless friends, colleagues, former patients, students, and neighbors whose lives were enriched by her kindness, wisdom, infectious laughter, and unwavering compassion.

Nurse Evelyn was a trailblazer, teacher, artist, mother, grandmother, and steadfast healer. She lived what one nursing colleague described as “a thousand lives,” touching generations of families through her skillful hands and generous heart. Her legacy endures in the people she loved, the nurses she mentored, the art she created, and the countless acts of care she offered throughout a remarkable life well lived. Those who knew her will remember not only her extraordinary accomplishments, but also the joy, warmth, humor, and radiant energy she brought into every room—a light that continues to shine in all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the future.

In lieu of flowers, Evelyn has requested donations be made in her memory to Planned Parenthood. Evelyn’s family would also like to share their heartfelt gratitude for the support given by Sharon S. Richardson Hospice while she was in home hospice care.