Erick E. Evens (1841-1912)

EVENS, ELIASSEN, WALKER

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 6/7/2020 at 19:11:58

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, April 25, 1912.

OBITUARY OF ERICK E. EVENS

Immense Number of Friends of Deceased Attended Funeral Last Sunday Afternoon. Deceased was Pioneer Settler of Howard Township

Erick E. Evens was born in Skaanevig's prestegjeld Norway December 23, 1841 and died at this home southeast of town on Tuesday evening, April 16, 1912, being 70 years, 3 months and 23 days old at the time of his death. He had always enjoyed good health until last fall, when he began to fail, gradually losing his strength, until the last few weeks, he was unable to be up, but part of the time. The day of his death, he had been up until after dinner, when he rapidly declined and his death took place shortly after six o'clock.

While a young man he sought an education and soon became a teacher which profession her followed until 1861, when he emigrated to the United States making his home near Lisbon, Ill., where he resided until the spring of 1866. In the year he moved to Story County, Iowa, buying a farm three miles southwest of Roland, which remained his home until his death. He was united in marriage to Mrs. Marie Eliassen on October 27, 1866, to which union seven children were born five of whom are still living and are left to mourn the death of a kind and loving father. Mrs. Evens died March 27, 1904. The children, who are left to mourn the his death are Erick, Betsy, Tom, Martin and Louis, a stepson, Rev. Henry Eliassen of Aneta, N. D. and a foster daughter Miss Valinda Walker.

Mr. Evens was one of the first men to assist in the organization of Bergen congregation and has been its trustworthy treasurer from the first and still held the position at his death. He was one of the faithful members of the congregation and was ever alert to do what was to the best interests of the same. He was for many years township assessor and justice of the peace, was one of the organizers of the Roland Creamery Co. and was a director of the same until a few years ago. He was also a director and stockholder in the Roland Savings Bank and in all positions that he held he enjoyed the fullest measure of confidence and trust of his fellowmen. His word was a word of honor.

Mr. Evens was a home loving man and no place was as dear to him as his home and family and these will miss him most. The community has lost one of its strong men, the church one of its pillars, but most of all the family has lost its head, but they are resigned to their loss; in the hope that he passed to the Eternal Home.

The funeral was held last Sunday afternoon the church being filled to its utmost many being obliged to remain outside during the services. Rev. G. Smedal preached the funeral sermon and payed a glowing tribute to the deceased. The floral decorations were many and beautiful, among which can be mentioned Gates Ajar, a large heart, two bouquets of Cala lilies, besides a great many other bouquets of roses, carnations and ferns.

Among those from a distance in attendance at the funeral were Rev. and Mrs. Henry Eliassen and son, Evan, and daughter, Beatrice, of Aneta, N. D., Mrs. Valjer Nelson, of Belmond, Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Thompson, of Marshalltown, Mr. Indre Walker of Belmond. After the funeral services at the church, the remains were interred in the Roland cemetery.

The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the sorrowing family.