Harold Durant Evans 1914-2006

DURANT, EVANS, BRAY

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/12/2006 at 20:28:06

Harold Evans

Harold D. Evans, 91, of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006 at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse, WI, following a brief illness. Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 12 at 11 am at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, with Rev. Larry Olson officiating. Burial of ashes with military rites will be held at a later date.

Harold Durant Evans was born August 25, 1914 in Waukon, IA, the son of Clarence and Edith (Durant) Evans. He attended elementary school in rural Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1932. Harold was a mechanic and worked for local farmers in the Waukon area before entering the service. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945, serving as part of the 734th Ordnance Company for the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division in Northern Africa and Italy. Harold was responsible for maintaining everything from jeeps to tanks and small arms. He was discharged in 1945 as a Staff Sergeant at Fort Sheridan, IL.

March 2, 1946 he married Jane Brooks Bray in Cedar Rapids, IA. Harold owned and operated Evans Refrigeration and worked many years selling and repairing household appliances. Harold was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the VFW. He enjoyed traveling around the country, often to war reunions in Europe. Harold also enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting antique clocks and being a private pilot.

Survivors include a son, Jim (Deb) Evans of Waukon; a daughter-in-law, Janet Bray of La Crosse, WI; seven grandchildren, Sarah (Jeff Stephens) Evans, Heather (Arlis White Jr.) Evans, Betsy Evans, Joann (Duane) Leppert, Robert (Pam) Bray, Alan Bray and Paul (Chris Baumgartner) Bray; 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jane, who died in 1995; a son, Myron Bray; a grandson, Rodney Bray; and two brothers, Horace and Leslie Evans.

Casketbearers were his grandchildren.

Waukon Standard, August 16, 2006