Eugene Evenson

Eugene L. "Gene" Evenson, 58, of Sun City, Arizona, and formerly of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, May 8, 2007, in Sun City. He was born July 20, 1948, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the son of Alvin and Maxine (Lacey) Evenson, and grew up in Aastad Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Aastad Lutheran Church. He graduated from the Crookston Ag School. After his father's death he returned to the family farm and began farming. In addition, he hauled water, and did commercial spraying. He later purchased the farm from Maxine. Later he was the best coach driver, enjoying bringing people from town to town, taking care of people and talking to them, being a team member with Vicki on the Magical Memories Tours. He married Vicki Rath Wahlund on February 14, 1997, at Aastad Lutheran Church. Gene will be remembered as always being on the go, having fun, whistling, helping at the Sunflower Resort - especially setting up for worship, going for drives, traveling, eating, practical jokes and giving hugs. Two of his special interests were fishing and stained glass. He started a special project called "Angels" where stained glass angels were given to returning injured soldiers. Gene was always a man who loved to meet people. Everyone liked Gene. He was a man with a big heart, a man who gave of himself. He was excited to move into his new house in Arizona, where he resided until his death. Gene always kept busy, no matter if it was good or bad for his health. He spent every day at his new house, getting it ready to be their permanent home. Gene served on the board of directors for the Federal Land Bank. Preceding him in death was his son, Darren; brother, Larry; mother, Maxine, father, Alvin; stepfather, LeRoy Anderson; his grandparents; and numerous aunts and uncles. Survivors include his wife, Vicki, of Sun City, AZ; daughter, Dena (Kurt) Biederman of Crystal, MN; four sons: Dustin (Kathy) Evenson of Fergus Falls, and Collin (Joanna) Wahlund, Corey (Ramona) Wahlund, and Chaun (Keri) Wahlund, all of Fargo; seven grandchildren; two sisters: Joyce (Merton) Shuck of Elbow Lake and Renee (Dan) Killips of Antioch, CA; three stepbrothers: Lloyd (Lynn) Anderson of Waldorf, MD, Leslie (Glenda) Anderson of Red Wing, MN, and Rodney (Dalia) Anderson of Dallas, TX; mother and father-in-law, Bernice and William Rath of Jamestown, ND and Sun City, AZ; three sisters-in-law: Deborah (Dr. Keith) Rau of Fargo, Cheryl (Dr. Tim) Miller of Minneapolis, and Kim (Jeff) McGuiness of St. Louis, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews. May my Gene rest in peace and know his wife, Vickie, will always love him. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 17 at the funeral home, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Friday, May 18, 2007, at Aastad Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls Clergy:      Reverend Dan Cole Interment: Aastad Lutheran Cemetery, 19383 County Highway 110, Fergus Falls* Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls * Take exit #55 off I-94, go south on County Highway 1 for 9 miles, then east 1 mile on County Highway 110.