JAMES '"Jim" EVENSON

James “Jim” Merle Evenson, age 81, passed away from cancer on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at his home near Mora with his family at his side.

He was born, April 1, 1941 to Jacob and Myrtle (Gunderson) Evenson. Jim was the eldest of 3 boys and spent his childhood on the family farm in Mora. The family was active at Calvary Lutheran Church for many years, and Jim received Christ as his personal savior at a Billy Graham Crusade.

When Jim was 15, his father died of a sudden heart attack. To keep the farm running, Jim’s last 2 years of school involved classes in the morning and farming after.  Jim credits the outpouring of support and mentoring from neighbors and relatives during this time. By God’s grace, they were able to keep the family and farm together. Jim also served in the Army National Guard for 6 years.

In 1965, Jim married Diane (Olson) of St. James and then purchased the Evenson family farm. Jim and Diane farmed for 40 years and developed a registered Holstein dairy herd. They were blessed with 4 children, who worked together on the farm.  4-H was also important to the family and Jim served, in some capacity, for over 50 years.

His commitment to his faith and community was at the center of his life. He volunteered and served on church, farming and community boards including Farm Bureau, Associated Milk Producers Incorporated (Regional Board Director), Mora Crisis Pregnancy Center, Republican Party, Gideons and many more. Jim’s gratitude to those who supported him as a young man continued throughout his life. Jim was quick to offer help and support to many others. He loved sharing the farm experience, offering hay rides to friends and neighbors on his beloved John Deere tractors. He delighted in spending time with his 10 grandchildren and was constantly creating new adventures with them.

Throughout his life, Jim’s top priorities were faith, family, farm and community.

Jim is preceded in death by parents and 3 beloved grandbabies.

Jim is survived by his wife Diane of 57 years, his 4 children and their families, Denise (Kent)- (Benjamin Weeldreyer), Michael (Kristine) -(Kerisa (Steven) Davids, Kerina, Trenton and Trevor Evenson), Janeen (Jody)- (Greyson and Anders Vogelaar), Aleeta (Jonathan) -(Hannah, Matthew and Aaron Wicklund).  Jim is also survived by his two brothers, Gerald and Phillip (Charlene) Evenson, and many other relatives and friends.

VISITATION will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Friday, September 9, 2022 at the True Vine Church in Mora. PRAYER SERVICE & SHARING TIME  at 7:00pm

VISITATION will be held again 1 hour prior to the service beginning at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mora.

FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mora.

INTERMENT will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Mora.

MILITARY HONORS will be provided by the Mora American Legion Post 201.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS; MEMORIALS ARE PREFERRED to the Gideons International, True Vine Lutheran Church, or the Trout Lake Bible Camp.

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