Delores Ione Evans

 Delores Evans passed away on August 8, 2024 at Luther Memorial Home with her family by her side under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. She was born June 3,1931 in Mayville, ND to Herman and Agnes (Solberg) Holkesvig of Mayville, ND. She was baptized at Aurdal Lutheran Church and confirmed at Perry Lutheran Church---both of Portland, ND. She attended grade school at Primrose #4 in Portland, graduated from high school in Mayville and attended Mayville State University where she earned her 2 year certificate in Elementary Teaching.

 On June 19,1953 Delores and Donnie Evans were married at the Aurdal Lutheran Church. They lived on a farm outside of Mayville. Donnie and Delores had six children: Larry, Kathleen, Timothy, Rebecca, Andrew and Kristine. Before becoming “our mom”, she taught all grade levels between Northwood, Hatton and Morgan Township schools; and was proud of each of her students. Delores especially enjoyed being the guest of honor at the Morgan School Class Reunion, held in 2014, where she visited with many former students and reminisced about good times had. She picked teaching as a profession because of all "the wonderful teachers who were amazing influences in her life”. We were very lucky to have her as a stay-at-home mom. Delores moved into the Sun Center Assisted Living Center in 2012 and into the Luther Memorial Home right after turning 90 in 2021. 

 Family was definitely on the top of her list with attending as many activities as she could for both children and grandchildren, listening to KMAV to hear her loved ones’ names in the sporting events, along with reading the Tribune cover to cover and cutting out articles and pictures for the scrapbooks to create memories for her grandchildren. She frequently made phone calls to all to check on the planting/rainfalls/harvesting and snow accumulation as well as to see how our day went. Mom loved hosting many family gatherings as well as helping with Holkesvig family reunions and she was one of the leaders in putting together the Holkesvig cookbook which sold out very quickly.

 Mom held strong onto her Norwegian ties. While she didn’t “snukka norsk”, she and dad hosted several Norway relatives during their high school years, Christmas cards were always exchanged, and a periodic phone call was shared. 

 Delores was quite the cook! She created delicious meals for a dozen-plus hired men—bringing the food out to the field, hot and delicious, along with tables and chairs. This was when she often tried new recipes, but one would never know. Favorite meals for her included hotdishes, ribs, meatballs, homemade buns and desserts of any kind. 

 Delores also attended 1044 Cardiac Rehab sessions and was an inspiration to many others who came to exercise as a goal in improving their health. Little known tidbits about mom include her favorite color was pink, favorite season was summer, and her favorite meal was waffles. She had a love for genealogy and her favorite hobby was creating memories through putting together scrapbooks for each of the grandchildren. Her favorite TV show was “Blue Bloods”. One thing you may not know about her, is that mom was very adventurous. As a “senior”, she took a hot air balloon ride in Florida and she white-water rafted in Colorado. Mom loved working on crossword puzzles—both in the paper and in the books. Her favorite bible passage was the 23 Psalm and her favorite hymn was Abide With Me. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and her favorite tale from grade school was “beating up Alden Eide” -- we’re pretty sure that is a good visual for each of you. Her bedtime was 9:30pm and she was proud of the fact that she “rarely” napped and never laid down during the day… until she turned 91! 

 Delores is survived by her children: Kathy (Steve) Baldock, Tim (Sheila) Evans, Andy (Sheri) Evans and Kris Evans (Brent Gillies);

grandchildren: Chad, Ryan & Haley, Amanda & Garrett, Aaron & Jessie, Megan, Jordan and Joshua; great grandsons: Weston, Henry, Walker, Warren and Lewis; brother: Bud (Myrna) Holkesvig and several special nieces and nephews. 

 She was preceded in death by her parents: Herman and Agnes Holkesvig; her husband of 59 years: Donnie; children: Larry and Rebecca; brother and sister-in-law: Ernie and Marlene Holkesvig; nephews: Paul Holkesvig and Greg Holkesvig.

 The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff of both the Luther Memorial Home (especially the staff of the “D” wing and to Chi Chi for her extra visits and nail pampering - your TLC from all involved did not go unnoticed) and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the loving care and support; to Dr Ostlie for her care given over the years; to Pastor Martin Avery for his visits, prayers and words of comfort; and to our many friends that called, prayed, messaged, and visited.

 We are very thankful and appreciative for all the memorials given and cards sent. All undesignated money will be shared with the Paul Holkesvig MSU Scholarship Fund, the Mayville Fire Department, the MLC TV/Radio or Window Fund and the Hospice of the RRV. 

Visitation: Will be Sunday August 18, 2024 from 5pm-7pm with a 6:30pm public prayer service at the Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: Will be held at 10:00AM on Monday August 19, 2024 at the Mayville Lutheran Church.

Burial: Will be in the Mayville Cemetery.