Evelyn Graham age 90, of Clarinda, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in Shenandoah, Iowa.
Evelyn Cora (Pullen) Graham, daughter of Roy Victor Pullen and Vera Urene (Maley) Pullen, was born on June 15, 1935, in Elmo, Missouri. She grew up in Clarinda and attended Clarinda Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1954 from Clarinda High School. Following her graduation, Evelyn worked as a Hostess and bookkeeper at the Sheraton Fontanelle Hotel in Council Bluffs Iowa. Evelyn was married in December of 1955, to Donald Graham and had three children, Steven, Teonna and Donnie.
In 1966, Evelyn and husband Donald Graham, returned to Clarinda when their entrepreneur hearts went to work. They opened the Ice House restaurant and employed many residents throughout the years. The evolution of the Ice House started from selling basic needs to later being a favorite local restaurant. In 1978, Evelyn sold the Ice House to Mike and Stacy Manuel.
Then followed by the opening of My Lady Lounge, TK Grahams and ET skate town, skating rink and Coney Express Ice cream store, which Evelyn would own and operate for many years. In the late 70’s she remarried, to Terry Kendrick and they raised Yorkies and embarked on many fun adventures. In 2005 Evelyn opened a popcorn retail store. Always keeping busy!
For a short time, Evelyn moved to the Lake of the Ozarks where she and her son Donnie owned and operated the B & P Hickory Pit in Sunrise, Missouri. In Evelyn’s retirement, she enjoyed quilting, sewing, and doing crafts and was proud of her 45 years in the restaurant business.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents Roy Victor Pullen and Vera Urene (Maley) Pullen, Don Graham ex-husband, sister Berniece (Lowell) Ely, brother Max (Dorothy) Pullen and nephews, Dennis Ely and Kenny Pullen.
She is survived by her son, Steven (Cynthia) Graham and his children, Troy (Karly) 3 great grandchildren and Tatum; daughter Teonna Graham-Earp (Michael) and her daughter Cheyenne; son Donnie (Heather) Graham and stepdaughter Alexis ; stepdaughter Chelly Kendrick , niece Janice (Don) Whaley; nephew Gene Pullen along with the numerous friends she made through all of the years of business ventures.
Graveside memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Clarinda Cemetery in Clarinda, Iowa with Pastor Marcia Kline officiating. A time of fellowship will be held following the burial at the J’s Pizza, downtown Clarinda, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to St. Croix Hospice, 1104 South 16th Street, Clarinda, IA 51632. Arrangements were entrusted to the Nodaway Valley Funeral Home of Clarinda.
