Evelyn Norris Fishburn

Evelyn P. Norris Fishburn, 88, passed away November 12, 2006, at a Topeka Care Facility. She was born August 3, 1918, in the Reading, Kansas community, the daughter of Arthur C. and Mary Ann (Gage) Phillips. She graduated from Duck Creek Grade School and Reading High School.

Evelyn worked in the dry cleaning industry since coming to Topeka in the 1940's. She graduated from the National Dry Cleaning Institute in Silver Springs, Maryland. Evelyn began her career at The City Hand Cleaners and then held management positions with the Band Box Cleaners and One Hour Martinizing. Evelyn founded The Village Cleaners July 24, 1979, where she worked in management until her death.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Fishburn, on April 25, 1993; a grandson, Taj Norris-Quarles on April 14, 2001; and a great-granddaughter, Natalie Nicole Stucky, in 2002.

She is survived by a daughter, Barbara Norris Quarles and her husband, Dana, of Topeka; three sons: Bill DeShazer and his wife, Betty, of Topeka, Larry DeShazer and his wife, Waunita, of Berryton, and Dan Norris and his wife, Marlene, of Berryton. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and many beloved employees and customers.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 15, 2006, at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 S.W. Tenth. Committal services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Reading Cemetery in Lyon County. Evelyn will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 N.W. Rochester Road, Topeka, KS 66617. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.