Jeanette Gladys Evanson

Jeanette Gladys Evanson passed away peacefully on Dec. 7, 2011 at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND at the age of 95. She was born Nov. 18, 1916 in Steele County, North Dakota to John and Olga Hallingstad. She grew up on the farm and attended Primrose #4 School and graduated in 1935 from Portland High School. Upon graduation, Jeanette moved to Grand Forks, ND and worked at Osco Drug for three years. On Jan. 1, 1938 Jeanette married Edwin Evanson at Perry Lutheran Church. They raised nine children in Primrose Township where she was a farm wife. She was active in the Perry Ladies Aid and choir and was the church organist. Besides raising the children, she enjoyed gardening, canning and baking. They moved to Canoga Park, CA in 1959 and upon Edwin’s sudden passing in 1961, she went to work for Forman Photo Lab. Over the years, Jeanette also resided and worked in Redding, CA where she became an active member of the Sons of Norway. She worked as a teacher's aide in the elementary schools and was loved by all her students. She retired in Reno, NV prior to returning to North Dakota to spend her final 3 years. We are saddened by the loss of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She had a quick sense of humor to go with her kind and loving heart. She was great at rosemaling and loved to crochet, making countless gifts that will be a constant reminder of her love. Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; her parents; her only brother, Wilfred Hallingstad; and her only sister, Phyllis Rindy. She is survived by all nine children: Janice (Truman) Thykeson, Hope, ND; Deanna Marks, Reno, NV; Merle (Bonnie) Evanson, Live Oak, CA; Dale (Arlene) Evanson, Westport, OR; Bonnie Balstad, Reno, NV; Lyle Evanson, Portland, ND; Wayne (Jan) Evanson, Acton, CA; Bruce (Che’) Evanson, Dunnville, KY and Brian Evanson (Becky Wood), Loomis, CA. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren, twenty one great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Doris Wiggen and Gloria Hallingstad Thykeson, one brother-in-law, Paul Hagen, several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers and staff at the Luther Memorial Home for their compassionate care over the past few years. Services are planned for the summer of 2012 and will be held at Perry Lutheran Church.