Evalyn Amy Wilson

Evalyn Amy Wilson, 68, passed away early morning, March 30th, 2020 at her home in Fairway, Kansas surrounded by her family. Lyn lost her battle to stage 4 lung cancer. Evalyn is survived by her brother, Fredrick William Leonard. Her husband, Steve L. Wilson and her children; Katrina Mckinnis and husband Nick McKinnis, Alexander Wilson and wife Madison Wilson, Amy Euston and husband Kevin Euston, and her grandchild Rozilyn McKinnis.

Evalyn was born on June 30, 1951 in Fontana, CA to William Fredrick Leonard and Wilda Maud (Pirl) Leonard. She went to St. Francis School of Nursing and received her nursing degree in 1975. She also attended Kansas State University to pursue Interior Design, with an emphasis on healthcare facility planning graduating in 1984. On November 7th, 1987 she married Steven L. Wilson at St. Agnes Catholic Church. They then went on to raise 2 daughters and a son. Evalyn was a devoted mother and nurse, she also had a special talent for art. She graduated in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Class of 1969.) She then attended the University of Albuquerque to start her education in art. After several years, she decided to switch careers and attended St. Francis school of Nursing. After nursing school, Lyn became part of the Traveling Nurses Association with her sister, Laurie. Her experience as a traveling nurse was very influential and provided plenty of stories of her experiences. After several years of traveling as a nurse and working in various hospitals and wards, she still was interested in pursuing her art degree. She graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelors in Interior Design, emphasis on healthcare facility planning. She started her own consulting business; Lyn Leonard & Associates in 1986. She was awarded Marquis Who's Who of American Woman in 1989 and also Baron's Who's Who of Interior Design in 1990.

Lyn decided to get back to her past roots of nursing after ten years. She was offered a position at St. Agnes as the school nurse, this was also the school that her children were attending. She was devoted to St. Agnes for the next 17 years. In 2013, Lyn landed her dream job at Children’s Mercy Hospital as a call center nurse. After 5 years of dedicated work she retired in 2018. She spent the last of her 1.5 years of retirement babysitting her granddaughter Rozilyn.

Evalyn was also highly involved in the community and multiple organizations. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution since 2012 where she volunteered as the treasurer of the organization. She also was highly interested in learning about her genealogy. She has been an avid contributor to Ancestory.com, Find a Grave, and also part of the Veitch Historical Society. Lyn enjoyed spending her time helping others and building genuine relationships. She was an impactful woman to many. Her vibrant outlook on life and her ability to touch many lives, sometimes with a simple hug, will be missed by many. She was a great wife, mother and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Special thanks to the staff at KU Medical Center and all of the St. Agnes families, Children's Mercy friends, and all that have reached out with support and love.