Eveline Adam

Eveline Mary (Peiffer) Adam, age 100, formerly of Keota, peacefully died on September 8, 2025, at Halcyon House in Washington, Iowa, her home for the last 16 years. She was born on January 19, 1925, the seventh of nine children born to Henry and Barbara (Hammes) Peiffer. Growing up, she attended Clear Creek Catholic School through 8th grade. She then worked at home and for neighboring families until marrying Leo A. Adam at Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church at Clear Creek on January 27, 1948. They made their home on a farm near Wellman until 1977, when they moved to Keota.

Eveline spent her life raising seven children and being the quintessential farm wife. Although she had only an 8th grade education, she never stopped learning and perfected her skills at sewing, cooking, baking, and gardening. The freezer was always stocked with cookies, there were fresh rolls and bread on the weekends, and the cellar was full of canned goods. On holidays and family gatherings, there was an abundance of delicious food including home-made noodles, cookies, candies, pies, and desserts.

Throughout the years, she volunteered her time and talents at church, at school and in the community. She enjoyed playing cards and belonged to several groups throughout the years. Eveline was a voracious reader, especially in her later years. She enjoyed music and was strict at requiring us kids to practice, something that wasn’t appreciated then but is now. She always said she enjoyed listening to us practice no matter how many mistakes we made.

She was determined to stay independent at Halcyon House and worked hard to keep it up until her last week. Perhaps one of her best qualities was her ability to adapt over the years to whatever life brought her. She said many times “It is what it is, so I just made up my mind to make the best of it”. Perhaps this came from her strong faith in God and prayer. Many rosaries were worn out over her lifetime. She was a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Keota.

Eveline is survived by her seven children: Barb Gent of Omaha, NE, Fran Hoopes of Fredericksburg, VA, Mike Adam (Lynne) of Madison, WI, John Adam (Penny) of Ames, IA, Jeanene Redlinger (Dean) of Keota, IA, Joseph Adam (Matt Wilkins) of Seattle, WA, Lori Wright (Ken) of Olathe, KS, 16 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and one on the way, sisters-in-law Jeanene Peiffer and Martha Bryson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leo in 1998, great-granddaughter Sophia Burke in 2015, son-in-law Leo Gent in 2017, son-in-law Mike Hoopes in 2025, her six brothers: Elmer, Bernard, Edward, Norbert, Herbert, and Omer Peiffer, and two sisters: Florence Wehr and Marcella White.

Memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, with Fr. Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Mary’s Cemetery in Keota. There will be no visitation.

A general memorial fund has been established. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Eveline and her family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.