Harriet Evenson

Waubay, SD- Harriet Evenson 88 of Bristol and formerly of Waubay died on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the Johnson Center in Bristol. Her funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Waubay, Rev. Janet Miller will officiate. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery, Waubay. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Wednesday 5-8 P.M. and prior to services on Thursday at the church. Harriet Agnes Holland was born on Sunday, April 10, 1921 to Jacob and Isabelle (Sampson) Holland. The family made their home on a farm north of Webster. She was baptized at Falnes Lutheran Church and confirmed at Tabor Lutheran Church. She attended country schools near her home, and graduated from Webster High School in 1941. After graduating, Harriet traveled to New York and spent several years working in the Syracuse area. When she returned to South Dakota she began working at Happe’s Candy Kitchen and later at Security Bank in Webster. On December 1, 1946 she married Richard Evenson at Tabor Lutheran Church near Webster. The couple initially made their home in Webster and in 1952 they moved to Waubay. They were blessed with five children and Harriet devoted her time to raising them. After her children were grown, she began working at Peabody Memorial Hospital in Webster. After retiring they enjoyed traveling and spent about thirty winters as snowbirds in Texas. They were happily married for almost 60 years. After the death of her husband in November 2006 she moved to Sun Dial Manor in Bristol in 2007. There she enjoyed the fellowship of many new friends and always enjoyed participating in all the activities there including games, music, dancing and, of course, visiting with the people. Harriet was a joy and an encouragement to all who knew her and truly lived her life by one of her favorite Bible verses, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Harriet was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and shared her devout faith by being active in many church activities including W.E.L.C.A., circles, quilting, choir and serving as a Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent. She loved all music, especially hymns and Lawrence Welk, and always took pleasure in following Minnesota Twins baseball. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and enjoyed making lefse, kumla and other Scandinavian delicacies. She loved people and enjoyed visiting with everyone, but the greatest joy in her life was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Harriet passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Bristol, South Dakota at the age of 88 years, 9 months and 25 days. Grateful for having shared in her life are her children and grandchildren, Russell (& Jan) of San Antonio, TX and their children, Heather and Eric; Kenneth (& Linda) of Bismarck, ND and their daughter, Laura; Mary Ann (& Larry) Aker of Waubay, SD and their children, Laurie, Steven, Amy, Jenna and Kelsey; David (& JoEllen) of Gillette, WY and their children, Richard, David, Scott, Alex and Adam; and Mark (& Catherine) of Oakdale, MN; six great grandchildren, Julianna, Ethan, Hannah, Evan, Brady and Alexa; her sisters, Irene Tvinnereim, Emma Waddle, Selma (& Jay) Evenson and Helen (& Ted) Nelson all of Webster, SD, Judy Barber of Bristol, SD and Serine (& Earl) Althoff of Waubay, SD; one brother, Edwin (& Elaine) Holland of Roslyn, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Richard, her sisters, Lorraine Peterson and Josephine Holland and brothers, Sherman and James.