Evelyn Marie (Goodrich) Trickel, 91, of Trenton, MO, passed away on April 30, 2024 of natural causes.
From humble beginnings on a family farm in Hickory, MO, Evelyn led a varied life, defined by mission work, local philanthropy, higher education, and devout Christian faith. She was the second of four daughters of Clifford and Mildred (Akers) Goodrich. Born August 15, 1932, she treasured her childhood in rural Missouri, working on the family farm and attending the one-room Shelburne school house. In 1951 she married Roy Lee Brummitt, her high-school sweetheart, with whom she had two children, Richard Brummitt and Margaret (Brummitt) Chapman.
After the untimely death of Roy Lee at 27 years of age, Evelyn moved to Columbia, MO with her two children where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Shortly after returning home to Grundy County, she was engaged to Robert Trickel, who would go on to be her husband for 38 years. Bob and Evelyn had three more children – David, Gary, and Brent Trickel. At 52 years of age, Evelyn returned to school at the University of Central Missouri to pursue a Master’s of Science in Adult, Career, and Technical Education.
Evelyn’s passion was to serve the Lord by loving people around the world. A true humanitarian and proud Christian, she dedicated her life to the service of Jesus and was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church, Trenton. Beyond her own congregation, Evelyn traveled the world in service of those in need. She traveled to Russia in 1986 as part of an education exchange, before the dissolution of the USSR. When she was 81 she made her final two international mission trips, going to Haiti as part of a medical mission project. Later that year she celebrated her 81st birthday in London, returning from a mission trip to Kosovo, where she worked with abused women. Age and distance were no barrier to her compassion.
For as much international mission work that she did, Evelyn may best be remembered for her love of the community in which she lived – the list of community projects is almost too many to count. She used her education degrees serving as both a teacher and substitute high school teacher and later as an instructor and leader for the Adult Basic Education program at NCMC, helping students, young and old, to earn their GED. She taught English as a Second Language to local immigrants well into her eighth decade of life. You may have seen her and her sister, Margaret Rice, at the Church Women United Thrift Store where they provided leadership. Evelyn served as the Regent of the Dorcas Richardson chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, was a member of the R-9 School board, the Grundy County Museum Board, and the Trenton City Council community beautification committee. For many years, Evelyn served as an evening monitor at the Green Hills Women’s Shelter. Evelyn spent nearly her life in and around Trenton, MO – a place she proudly called home.
As a researcher and author, Evelyn co-wrote two books about the Orphan Train movement in the early 1900s and consulted on a documentary movie. Her deep roots in the community contributed to the Pictorial History of Grundy County and her work editing the two volume history – Grundy County Missouri And Its People.
Evelyn is survived by four children, Richard Brummitt (Sharon) of Kansas City, MO, Margaret Chapman (Johne) of Kearney, MO, David Trickel of Dunlap, MO and Brent Trickel (Marla) of Salt Lake City, UT; 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by two sisters, Karen Prewitt of Trenton, MO and Margaret Ann (John) Rice plus many nieces and nephews. Evelyn was preceded in death by two husbands, Roy Lee Brummitt and Robert Trickel; one son, Gary Trickel; one granddaughter, Katelyn Trickel; her parents; and one sister, Mary Louise (Orville) Melvin.
Evelyn was a loyal, hardworking, kind and generous soul with a great love for her hometown. Anyone who met her was a better person for it. Evelyn loved the Lord and longed for the day to be in His presence.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to: International Association for Refugees, P.O. Box 1405, Wheaton, IL 60187 https://www.iafr.org/donate * Refugee Scholarships-Kakuma * Bibles for Refugees * Refugee Church Building Project
Memorials may also be left with First Baptist Church.
Condolences maybe left online at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/gladstone-mo/evelyn-trickel-11792923
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 15, 2024 at First Baptist Church, Trenton, MO. The family will receive friends 10:00-11:00 a.m., prior to the memorial service.
