Etta L. Proeber (97) danced into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. She was the fifth child of twelve born to Dallas C. and Dorothy (Day) Evans on May 15, 1928, in Waukegan, IL. In 1949, the Waukegan News Sun featured the Evans Family as “Zion’s Largest Family.” Etta was the last surviving of the Twelve.
Etta graduated from Zion Benton Township High School in 1946. She was proud to receive the highest typing award at 84 words per minute. It served her well for her clerical career at jobs including the Great Lakes Naval Base, Victory Memorial Hospital, and OMC/Johnson Motors. Her first job was at the Zion Lace Factory, where she worked alongside her sisters. Etta enjoyed teaching line dancing in Kenosha, WI, and Lady Lake, FL.
Etta met the love of her life, Raymond E. Proeber, at a dance. Her happiest moments were on the dance floor in his beloved arms. They enjoyed all kinds of ballroom, square dancing, and line dancing. They even took the spotlight at an Anne Murray concert when they heard “their song,” “Can I Have This Dance?” and danced in the back of the room.
Etta was a Past Matron of Millburn Chapter Order of Eastern Star #570 and served with her brother Donald Evans as Worthy Patron. She received her 70-year pin in August 2025 from the Libertyville, IL, Chapter of OES. Etta was also a member of the Little Fort Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Moose Lodge of Kenosha, WI.
Etta enjoyed domestic and world travel, including the Hawaiian Islands, Morocco, the Holy Land, Germany, and New Zealand. Etta and Ray experienced a moment in world history by visiting “Checkpoint Charlie” of the Berlin Wall in the aftermath of its removal.
Etta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond; her siblings, Virginia (Milt) Cook, Betty (Art) Chrismas, Peg Irvin, Dallas C. (Helen) Evans, Phyllis (Ed) Nelson, Janet Hodler, Al (Sara) Evans, Donald P. Evans, Terrance Evans, Janice Saylor, Dennis (Trudy) Evans and daughter-in-law, Linda Proeber.
She is survived by her children, Karen Stiehr, Virginia (Gerrardo) Lopez, Marlene Kay Miller, Rev. Beverley (Harry) Williams, David (Andrea) Proeber, and Jeff Proeber; her grandchildren, John Brandon (Janalee) Miller, Rachel (Larry) Bohringer, Ezra Lopez, Avery Lopez, Kent Dykema, Nicolas (Mercy) Dykema, Joshua (Leah) Dykema, Amanda Miller, Gage Proeber, Erin Malo, Michael Proeber, Zoey Proeber; eight great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Marlene Evans and Susan Evans.
Visitation
DATE:
May 15, 2026 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Piasecki Funeral Home
3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144
Funeral Service
DATE:
May 15, 2026, at 12:00 pm
Piasecki Funeral Home
3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144
Graveside Service
DATE:
May 15, 2026, at 1:30 pm
West Lawn Memorial Park
9000 Washington Ave, Racine, WI 53406
