Darlene Lou Evers

Darlene Lou Evers, 93, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and well-known mezzo soprano/alto vocalist, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at home surrounded by family.

Darlene was born Saturday, October 12, 1929, in Oelwein, Iowa and began singing at a young age for church, school, and local organizations, and successfully competed in many vocal competitions. After graduating from Oelwein High School, she attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Her sophomore year she met the love of her life, veteran and junior, Jean Joseph Evers (J.J.), over a gumball machine in the Drake music building. They married Sunday, June 5, 1949, in Oelwein and started their married life in the trailer park at Drake University. Darlene graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Music in 1951. The newlyweds moved to New Mexico so Darlene could begin coursework for her master’s degree at the University of New Mexico. She was awarded her Master of Music in 1954. In 1953 they moved to New Haven, Connecticut, and J.J. began work on his master’s degree at Yale. They missed New Mexico and returned to Albuquerque and JJ began working for Edmunds Chemical and Darlene taught voice lessons and was a sought-after soloist in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Four daughters were born while in Albuquerque, Andrea Lea, Kristin Kay, Robin Ray, and Michele Renee. Due to J.J.’s job transfer, the family moved to El Paso in 1968. For 13 years Darlene was Assistant Professor of Voice in the Music Department at the University of Texas El Paso. Darlene held memberships in Mu Phi Epsilon, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the National Association Teachers of Singing. She taught, mentored, and encouraged hundreds of vocalists and many have gone on to have their own professional music careers. Darlene and J.J. moved to Dallas in 1982 with another job transfer. In 1991, Darlene and J.J. returned to Albuquerque for their final move. Darlene was a member of Central United Methodist Church, sang with the Sanctuary Choir, and was a Church Trustee and Fine Arts Committee Member. She also served as Trustee (Emeritus) for the J. Donald Robb Trust. She was a member of P.E.O.-Chapter X and cherished the friendships she made with her P.E.O. sisters. Some of her happiest memories were celebrating their 50th, 60th and 70th wedding anniversaries with friends and family.

Darlene had a lengthy career as vocal soloist and performed with the Albuquerque Symphony, El Paso Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Wichita Falls Symphony, Oklahoma City Symphony, Des Moines Symphony, St. Louis Symphony and sang in multiple churches and Jewish temples throughout the country. Her hundreds of performances touched audience members with her beautiful voice, elegance, and poise. In 1956, Darlene sang in a celebrated national broadcast for the Armed Forces Network to servicemen all over the world. She performed Kindertoten Lieder accompanied by the Oklahoma City Symphony. She is best known for her role as the mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors and the role of Baba in Medium. She also had lead roles in many operas: L'Orfeo, Cosi Fan Tutti, Magic Flute and Julius Caesar and others. Her favorite was solo work in great requiem masses and major choral works.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Jean Joseph (J.J.) Evers; daughters and their spouses, Andrea and Peter Rogo, Kristin and Corey Haugland, Robin and Ronald Castagno, Michele and Randy Stehling; eight grandchildren, Damon (Emily) Dayoub, Daniella (Gregg) Forrest, Kirby (Anne Lake) Haugland, Haley Haugland, Christopher (Ciara) Castagno, Benjamin (Emily) Castagno, Ann (Eric Krohngold) Stehling, Adam Stehling; great grandchildren, Ariah Thompson, Ava and Ryan Dayoub, Colter Castagno; nieces, Joan Sebastian and Carol Rawls. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Rody and Carolyn Maher; and brother, Robert E. Maher.

Please join us in celebrating Darlene’s life, Saturday, January 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.

Family members will greet guests at a reception following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.