Evelyn Rose Kiester

Evelyn Rose Kiester (October 6, 1943 – August 27, 2026) Evelyn Rose Kiester, age 82, passed away on August 27, 2026. Born October 6, 1943, in Michigan, she was the daughter of Ervin and Catherine Spaulding and grew up as part of a close-knit family of ten children. A trailblazer in the automotive industry, Evelyn dedicated 30 years of her career to AM General as a skilled draftsperson, notably contributing her technical precision to the development and drafting of the iconic military Humvee. Following her retirement, Evelyn embraced her love for being a homemaker. She loved spending many peaceful weekends Up North with her husband, Lowell, fishing on Lake Huron in Oscoda. She also found immense joy in hosting and cooking wonderful dinners for her loved ones. Christmas was especially magical in her kitchen, where she lovingly made fudge for everyone. Evelyn was such a meticulous perfectionist when crafting her holiday sweets that if a single batch did not turn out flawless, she would toss the entire thing out and start completely over. An enthusiastic sports fan, she loved cheering on the Detroit Tigers and watching football, with the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs holding a special place among her favorite teams. Beyond her baking and sports, she loved playing cards—especially euchre—and trying her luck at the slot machines at MGM Grand in Detroit. An avid animal lover, she cherished her beloved dogs, Maggie, Molly, and Ginger, who brought immense happiness to her daily life. Above all, she was a deeply loving and special woman who cherished her role as a devoted wife, stepmother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. A lifelong and devout Catholic, Evelyn walked faithfully in her spiritual journey, and her final farewell will be commended to God in a Mass of Christian Burial. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lowell Franklin Kiester Sr., and her siblings James (Ruby) Spaulding, Norma Spaulding, Jerry (Arlene) Spaulding, Shirley (Joe) Staggs, and Robert (Barb) Spaulding. Evelyn is survived by her loving stepchildren, Lowell Franklin Kiester Jr. (Jandrea), Timothy A. Kiester (Ronda), Vernon Kiester (Mary), and Cynthia Foy (Michael); her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her surviving siblings, Betty (John) Talaga, Mary (John) Clute, Rita Spaulding, and Richard (Carol) Spaulding. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 3:00 PM until the service at 5:00 PM at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 980 N. Newburgh Rd., Westland, MI 48185. Memorial contributions may be suggested to a charity of choice. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

Evelyn Rose Kiester

October 6, 1943 - August 27, 2026