Evelyn Lily (Ayris) Van Orden was born on August 19, 1933 as the second child of Nellie (Heiden) and Chester in Chippewa Township, Isabella County, Michigan.

She married Wayne Richard Van Orden on March 21, 1959 in Mt Pleasant, Michigan. They had two daughters and one son.

In her adult life, Evelyn worked at the Giant Supermarket and at the Soaring Eagle Casino.

She died on May 22, 2016 at McLaren Hospital in Mt. Pleasant. Wayne, who was born on March 19, 1932 in Isabella County, passed away in 2003. She was 82 years old.