Martin V Evenson 1918-2008

EVENSON, MELBY, JORDAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/5/2008 at 00:26:58

Sioux City Journal
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

ONAWA, Iowa -- Martin V. Evenson of Rice Lake, Wis., formerly of Onawa, passed away July 17, 2008 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wis.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Faith Lutheran Church in Onawa, with the Rev. Steve Hetzel officiating. Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Norwegian Country Cemetery, Soldier, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Appleyard's Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, Wis.

Martin V. Evenson was born in Soldier, Iowa, on Feb. 21, 1918, to Martin and Anna (Melby) Evenson. He grew up and spent his early adult life in Soldier, where he was active in the Soldier Norwegian Country Church, school, sports, working at the Evenson General Store. His passion was music and singing. He spent much of his spare time singing with various bands for local dances, one of which was Lawrence Welk.
On Sept. 22, 1939, he married Vivian L. Jordan of Charter Oak, Iowa. They made their first home in Soldier before he joined the U.S. Army in March 1943 and served during World War II. He continued to serve his country in the military for the next 21 years. During that time, he gave service in the Korean conflict and the Cold War tensions, retiring in May 1964 as a lieutenant colonel. His vocation was surveyor with the Army's Corps of Engineers, working many years on the Missouri River and in the district office in Omaha. After retiring from the corps, he took a job with Monona County, Iowa, as a zoning commissioner.

After returning home from overseas during World War II, the couple made their home in Onawa, where they raised their two daughters, Vicky and Jeanna. They later took an active role in the lives of their granddaughter, Heidi and her son, their great-grandson, Wade Martin. He was active in his chosen community of Onawa, taking part in the fellowship of Faith Lutheran Church, Masons, Shriners and Order of the Eastern Star, where he eventually took the office of Worthy Grand Patron of Iowa.

Later in their lives, the couple moved from Onawa to Brentwood Assisted Living in Rice Lake, Wis., to enjoy more time with their children.

He is survived by a brother, Loyd of Hollywood, Calif.; his wife of 68 years, Vivian Evenson; two daughters, Vicky (Ron Neitge) of Spooner, Wis., and Jeanna (Clark Elliott) of New Richmond, Wis.; a granddaughter, Heidi (Wayne Richey) of Cumberland, Wis.; and a great-grandson, Wade Martin Jordan Richey of Cumberland, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Conrad of Soldier, Iowa; and two sisters, Gladys Kroll of Denison, Iowa, and Alice Moore of Mapleton, Iowa.

In memory of Martin, please send any memorials to Soldier Country Church, c/o Jane Holt, 108 Second Street, Soldier, IA. 51572.