Leo Millard Evanson

Leo M. Evanson, 87, of Mayville, ND died on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at the Sanford Hospital in Mayville, ND. He was born the son of Louis and Inga (Oftelie) Evanson on April 10, 1926, in Powers Lake, ND. He moved with his family to Garfield, MN in 1939. In 1943 at 17, he left home for Montana to work on a cattle ranch, along the way he stopped to visit a friend in Portland, ND. It was harvest time and help was needed on thrashing crews so he stayed to work through harvest and never moved from the area. In 1944, he entered the army and served in the Philipines and Japan. Returning to Mayville after the war he worked as a farm hand. On October 6, 1950 he married Clara Tunseth at the Mayville Lutheran Parsonage. He began working for Dornacker Seed Company in Mayville where he worked for 35 years until retiring in 1990. He was a member of Mayville Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. He loved to sing and play his guitar and enjoyed riding horses. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Clara in Mayville, his son Dallas of Mayville and three daughters, Karen (Jim) McCain, Mayville, ND, Linda (Ron) Blanchek, Tempe, AZ, Carol (Todd) Schmidt, Portland, ND, his sister June (Dan) Quernemoen, Chaska, MN, two brothers Dan (Sharon) Evanson, Grand Forks, ND, Jim (Eileen) Evanson, Mesa, AZ, eight grandchildren Nic and Jared McCain, Luke and Tyrel Schmidt, Whitney and Michael Evanson, Audra and Grace Blanchek, two great-grandchildren Hunter and Maylea Schmidt and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Gloria Evanson and nephew, Scott Evanson. Family requests memorials be given to Mayville Lutheran Elevator Fund. Visitation: Will be 5 – 7 PM on Monday, December 16, 2013 at the Baker Funeral Home and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial Service: 1:00 PM Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at the Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville, ND. Burial: Mayville Cemetery, Mayville, ND.