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EVENSON, John LeRoy 1927-2011

EVENSON, MYHRE, HANDRUP, PELLEYMOUNTER, STANLEY, HOLTER

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 11/27/2011 at 12:32:22

[Waterloo Courier, Wednesday, October 19, 2011]

John LeRoy Evenson was born July 15, 1927, in Plaza, N.D., the son of Halfred J. and Lena Sophia (Myhre) Evenson. He received his elementary and secondary education at the Plaza Community School, followed by service in the U.S. Navy in 1946-47. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in music education at Minot State University, Minot, N.D., in 1951, and his Master of Science degree in music education at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, in 1954. He was the band director at Lansford, N.D., in 1950-51, the band/vocal director at Columbus, N.D., from 1951-53 and the director of choral activities at Cedar Falls High School from 1954-1983.

Besides his formal education, John had studied extensively with Robert Shaw at the "Workshop in Choral Art" at San Diego State College and "Meadow Brook Choral Institute" at Oakland University, Michigan, as well as workshops with Eric Erickson, Fred Waring, Norman Luboff, John Rutter and Gene Puerling.

John's conducting experience included director of Waterloo (Iowa) Choral Association, director of chorus at the Saskatchewan Summer School of the Arts in Fort Qu'Appelle, director of the All-State Music Camp Chorus at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, director of the chorus at the Summer Music Institute at Morningside College, Sioux City, and director of jazz choir at the All-State Music Camp at the University of Iowa. His Cedar Falls Jazz Singers were pioneers in the Midwest in the art of vocal jazz. They were the guest performing group for several conventions and seminars, as was his concert choir.

He married Cordel Handrup on June 1, 1956, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls. To this union were born two daughters, Laurey and Julie. They later divorced. On Dec. 21, 1973, he married Frances Altman Pelleymounter of Dike at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls. The couple moved to Northfield, Minn., in 1983, following John's retirement. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church where he sang in the Senior Choir, a member of the Stephen Ministry program and did volunteer work as needed. He was a substitute teacher at the Northfield High School and Middle School for a number of years, as well as adjudicator for music contests in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Later he enjoyed directing the Northfield Senior Men's Chorus, the Troubadours. John enjoyed his role of grandfather as well as playing golf and bridge.

He is survived by two daughters, Laurey (Bill) Stanley of Portsmouth, Va., and Julie Evenson of Cedar Falls; one grandson, Joseph Duchow; three stepgranddaughters, Melody, Alyse and Crystal Stanley; two stepsons, Douglas (Evelyn) Pelleymounter of Northfield and Steven Pelleymounter of Grand Rapids, Minn.; two stepgranddaughters, Jodi (Peter) Durow and Katie (Andrew) Carlson; one stepgrandson, Michael Pelleymounter of Grand Rapids; three stepgreat-grandchildren, Jonah, Nadia and Isaac; and his sister-in-law, Betty Evenson of Seattle. He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Fran, on Oct. 9, 2011, nine days prior to his death; his parents; his brother, Harlow; and his sister Mildred Holter.

John passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday morning, Oct. 18, 2011, at Southview Suites on the campus of the Northfield Retirement Community, at the age of 84.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Chapel of the Northfield Retirement Community, with the Rev. Howard White officiating. Music will be provided by Rhonda Reece and the NRC Men's Chorus. Lunch will follow. Interment will be in Osage Memorial Cemetery, Osage.

Memorials are preferred to the Northfield Retirement Community.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home, Northfield.


 

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