Evan Harper Ice
Share
Evan Harper Ice, age 52, Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on August 5, 2016 after a heroic fight with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Evan was born on November 5, 1963 in Newton, Kansas, to Ted and Sue Harper Ice. He graduated from Newton High School in 1982, and attended the University of Kansas where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1986. At KU, Evan was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity—a fraternity that supports the ALS Association as its national charity.
Evan worked for 4 years for Boeing in Kansas and in Maryland, and in 1988, Evan married his wife of 27 years, Jill Redfern Ice. He returned to law school at the University of Kansas and earned his Juris Doctor in 1993, becoming a fourth-generation lawyer. In law school, Evan served as Editor of the Kansas Law Review, and earned membership in the Order of the Coif.
After law school, Evan joined the Lawrence law firm of Stevens, Brand, Winter, Lungstrum & Golden (now known as Stevens & Brand) and remained in practice at the firm for his entire career. He was active in the Kansas Bar Association, serving on the Board of Editors of the Journal of the Kansas Bar Association. Evan served for 15 years as the Douglas County Counselor, and he was a past President of the Board of County Counselors Association of Kansas, past President of Health Care Access and past President of the Douglas County Estate Planning Council. He also served on the Douglas County United Way, the Lawrence Schools Foundation, Lawrence Rotary Club, and many other organizations. Evan and Jill and their three daughters, Erin, Allix and Emily are members of the First United Methodist Church in Lawrence.
Evan was an athlete, competing in many triathlons and several marathons. More than anything else, Evan enjoyed his family, being a husband to Jill and a Dad to Erin, Allix and Emily. He loved attending the performances and other milestone events of his 3 daughters.
Evan began to realize that something was wrong during a run and later learned of the devastating diagnosis of ALS. He faced this disease with absolute grace and strength and was an inspiration to his friends and family. In 2014, the ALS Association’s Mid-America Chapter awarded Evan with its Tom Watson Courage Award; in 2015, the Kansas Bar Association presented Evan with its Courageous Attorney Award.
Evan did not face this disease alone. Many friends have provided numerous hours of support and comfort through these past few years. They have provided weekly lawn care, meals, overnight care, massages, reading time and helping with household chores. Evan’s law firm partners and staff were of particular support, assisting Evan so that he could continue to practice law as long as it was possible.
Evan is survived by his wife Jill; his three daughters Erin, Allix and Emily; his mother Sue Ice of Newton; his in-laws Lowell and Glorene Redfern of El Dorado; his sisters Laura Ice and Nancy (Ken) Schlup; and several nieces and nephews. His father, Ted Ice, predeceased him.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made in his name to ALS Association or the Lawrence Schools Foundation and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 9th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Services will be held August 10th at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont Street, Lawrence. A reception at Maceli’s will immediately follow funeral service for people to gather and celebrate Evan’s life.
Jill and family: Rich and I send our heartfelt condolences to each of you on the loss of your husband and father. Aynsley Anderson Sosinski & Rich Sosinski
Jill and family,
My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time of loss for your family. My sincere condolences.
I am so sorry to hear of Evan’s passing. We will be keeping you all in our prayers. Evan was an amazing man and a fighter to the end.
Doug Harwood
Jill and family
Kirk and I are so sad to hear of Evans passing.
We are thinking of you and the girls in this
difficult time. Our prayers are with your family.
The Vincent family
My sincere sympathies. Evan was such a principled man and an inspiration to all who knew him. Sheila Stogsdill
Dear Jill and family,
We are saddened to read of the death of Evan. We have fond memories of our days in Maryland with you two. We so admire Evan’s courage through this illness and are thankful he had your faithful love and care. We will keep you in our prayers in the difficult days before you.
Love,
Rich and Clare Rippel
Jill and Family,
Your loss and Evan are heavily on all of our hearts and minds. Evan was one of the kindest, smartest and most committed men to this community we have known. We pray for your peace and Evan’s as he goes to live with the Lord. Our deepest sympathies.
Jill and family ~ I am so, so sorry to hear of Evan’s passing! He was an amazing man and my heart breaks for your loss. Heaven will open its gates widely for Evan and he will be at peace with his Heavenly Father.
So sorry for the loss of a great husband, father and man. Our prayers are with you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ice Family at this time! We are so sorry for your lose!!
Miles and Paula Schnaer
Jill and Family
Audrey and I are thinking and praying for you and your family in your loss of your husband and father. Not knowing Evan personally but through your parents, we know what a loss it is to not only your family but to the community. Thinking of you in this time of sorrow and celebration of his life.
Kent & Audrey
Laura, I am so sorry to hear about Evan. Just keep the good times in your heart.
Sending prayers for you and your family.
To the family of Evan H. Ice: Heart-felt condolences. Our community and our profession are diminished by his absence