Evans was first elected to serve as Assemblywoman from Sparks District 30 in 1986. She sat on numerous committees and interim study committees, including Ways and Means, Occupational Education, Mental Hygiene/Mental Retardation, Juvenile Justice, Welfare, Interim Finance, Commerce and Labor and Budget Review Committee. She also served as Speaker Pro Tempore in the 1997 and 1999 legislative sessions.

Evans was always the champion of the underdog, providing the voice for those who have none: children, abused women, AIDS patients and the mentally ill. Perhaps the Reno Gazette-Journal said it best in its January 20th editorial, written when she announced that she would not run for another term in the legislature.

"What do you want in a legislator? Penetrating mind? Immense compassion for ordinary people? Intimate knowledge of budgets? The toughness to stand firm for the right things, and the people skills to negotiate through the political labyrinth? All of these combined in Assemblywoman Jan Evans to make her one of the best legislators of her generation."

Assembly Speaker Joe Dini said that "Nevada has suffered a great loss with the passing of Jan Evans, for Jan was truly a great lady. She was not only an outstanding legislator, but also a loving, caring, compassionate person. Jan was the first to offer assistance when she was aware of the illness or misfortune of others. Thousands of women and children are better off today in Nevada because of her efforts in the areas of domestic violence, child abuse, K - 12 education and juvenile justice. She will be sorely missed by all whose lives she touched."

Other highlights of Evans' legislative leadership and accomplishments include: health care cost containment, motor/voter bill, adult literacy, expanded library funding, lowering teacher/pupil ratios, estate tax funds for education, reproductive choice for Nevadans, increased funding for AIDS and Aid to Dependent Children, community services for seniors, and expanded services for juveniles, the mentally ill, displaced homemakers and victims of domestic violence.

Since 1985, Evans served as director of development at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Because of her consummate ability to interact with people at all levels in the university, the business community and the political arena, she wooed countless supporters to the medical school.

Dr. Robert Daugherty, medical school dean emeritus, said, "What do you say when an angel goes to heaven? Nevada has lost part of its soul and those of us left can only hope to show each other the respect and provide the help that Jan provided every day. In the office or in the legislature, she was always looking after someone other than herself. Her behind-the-scenes work on behalf of all of us is indestructible, and the results will live for a long time."

As a volunteer, Evans pioneered the research, drafting, lobbying and passage of the Marriage License Surcharge Bill in 1981, securing a stable funding source for Nevada's domestic violence programs. She was the founding executive director for the Nevada Women's Fund in 1982. She lobbied for increases in the Aid to Dependent Children Program (now TANF) and was a founder and activist for Women of Nevada (W.O.N.).

Evans' friend, fellow legislator and former lieutenant governor Sue Wagner said, "I wish we could have cloned Jan, as a legislator and as a human being. If everyone had a Jan Evans representing them in Carson City, government would be pretty darn good. What made her a special woman were her integrity, honesty and compassion. All the good she did means that her legacy will live long beyond her."

Evans received numerous awards, including the Thornton Peace Prize from UNR, the Women Helping Women Award from the Soroptomist International of Truckee Meadows, the Hannah Humanitarian Award from the Committee to Aid Abused Women and the Mike O'Callaghan Humanitarian Award from the Truckee Meadows Human Services Association.

Evans was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1937. In the 1960s, she was a teacher in the Denver Public Schools. Her distinguished career as a community volunteer began when she moved to Reno in 1969. She holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Northern Colorado and a master's degree in sociology from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Evans is survived by her two children and their spouses, Rob and Katherine Evans and Tracey and Rafe Heath.

A private service will be held. Evans requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Savitt Library book fund at the medical school. Checks should be written to the University of Nevada School of Medicine/Foundation and sent to: UNSOM Development Office, Savitt Bldg., Mail Stop 356, Reno, NV 89557.