Evolyn Terpening

Services are scheduled for 10 am Tuesday July 8, at First Methodist Church for Evolyn Terpening of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mrs. Terpening, 97, died on July 1, 2025 in Roswell, New Mexico.

Jason Kraft will officiate at the services with burial to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Alan Terpening, John Johnson, Robert Terpening, Eli Harden, Eric Harden, and Kris Kittleson.

Evolyn was born on May 21, 1928 in Melrose, New Mexico; the daughter of William Dunlap and Pearl Derrick Dunlap; She was married to John Terpening on December 31, 1947 in Tatum, NM

Evolyn grew up on a ranch east of Tatum. She was active in many school activities and also the 4-H club of Tatum. Here she learned to sew, cook, and do crafts. Evolyn competed at the local, county, and state levels in her 4-H club activities. As a senior in high school she won a trip to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago, Illinois for her work in clothing. Later, as a parent, she and a friend formed a 4-H club for their daughters and others interested in learning to cook. sew, and learn arts and crafts. As an adult Evolyn competed in the Outstanding Homemaker of the Year award at the Eddy County Fair and won 1st place. Later she competed again and won 2nd.

Evolyn met John H. Terpening, Jr. at New Mexico State University in 1968 and they were married on the Dunlap Ranch east of Tatum, NM on December 31, 1947.

Evolyn recieved her bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University in 1968. She had substituted in the Artesia Public Schools for about 15 years before returning to NMSU to complete her education.

Evolyn did not work outside the home in her children's early years, but volunteered her time to teach a number of youth groups. She was a 4-H leader for nine years, a Brownie Scout leader for one year, and an assistant Cub Scout leader for two years. She was also a memeber and officer of the PTA.

Terpening became actively involved in the local chapter of the National Education Association early in her teaching career and served many years on the council. During this time she spent several years attending the New Mexico Legislative sessions and working to promote education.

Evolyn was honored in May 1992 for the Southeast NEA Hall of Fame in New Mexico. She was an Artesia teacher for 22 and a half years, most of the time as a Language Arts teacher. She also taught 6th and 7th Grade Science. Upon her retirement, she became a member of the Artesia Association of Educational Retirees.

Other than education, Evolyn had many other interests. She and John were proud members of the New Mexico Square and Round Dance Association for many years. Serving on the Woodbine Cemetary Board was a position she held for 4 years. Dear to her heart was serving her Lord at First United Methodist Church where she was a long time member. Her work there included being on many boards and holding several teaching positions. She and John were also Lay Leaders of the Methodist Conference. They spent many hours traveling the countryside serving Methodist Churches in Las Cruces, Roswell, Portales, and Clovis areas.

Evolyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband John Terpening; two brothers Jim and Luis and two sisters Catherine and Marjorie; grandchildren Erin Johnson and Christina Menichini; and daughter-in-law Mary Dawn Terpening.

Survivors include her children Alan Terpening and Martha Johnson; a sister Carolyn Bedford; grandchildren Robert Terpening, David Alan Terpening, Rita Harden, John Asher Johnson, and Rachel Houston; great-grandchildren Britni, Amber, Eli, Zoe, Marcello, Victoria, Marcus, Owen, Giovani, Aaron, Sage, Jade, Kari, Ja'tai, Dante, and Dominic; also by great-great-granchildren Sylvie, Ruby, and Trinetty.