Obituary of Dale R Evenson

EVENSON DALE R

            Dale R. Evenson, age 79 of Tyndall, SD passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD.  Private family funeral services will be 10:30, Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, rural Menno, SD with Rev. Theresa Jacobson officiating.  Burial will be in the Our Savior’s West Cemetery, rural Menno, SD with Military Graveside Rites by the Rames-Bender American Legion Post #152, and the South Dakota Army National Guard Honor Guard.  Walk through visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD.  Due to COVID-19 concerns, friends and family are encouraged to participate through live streaming of Dale’s services at:  https://www.facebook.com/opsahlkostel/live.  Those wishing to attend the visitation in person are required to wear a mask and to practice social distancing guidelines.  Online condolences may be made at:  www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Yankton, SD.

He was born to Henry and Edith (Holm) Evenson on August 30, 1941 in rural Yankton County, SD.  He attended Wilson School and graduated from Scotland High School, Scotland, SD in 1959.

Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Army where he spent 3 years at Ft. Sill, OK.  Dale had fond memories of his time serving our country.

Upon discharge from the Army, he was employed by Welfl Construction.  He was very proud to help build many landmarks including the Benedictine Center, Roncalli Center, Chan Gurney Airport in Yankton as well as the Rotunda Building, and Ag Hall on the SDSU campus.

During this time, he married Yvonne King to whom Gordon Donald and Angela Rae were born.

In later years he operated Evenson Construction and Evenson Refinishing.

On September 23, 1989, he married Dr. Julie Stevens at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, on a beautiful fall day.

Dale was very proud of his Norwegian Heritage and enjoyed attending lutefisk dinners, making lefse with his mother Edith and participating at the Old-Fashioned Christmas service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

He had a lifelong love of fishing.  As a young boy he rode his bike over to State Lake and came home with a gunnysack full of crappies.  He spent many hours fishing for bullheads.  He was the Legend of Sylvan Lake where he caught a few too many rainbow trout.

He was a talented carpenter and wood crafter.  He enjoyed refinishing antique furniture and building tables.

His later years were spent boating on Lewis and Clark Lake, fishing on Stalker Lake, MN and Wintering in Port Aransas, TX.

Dale is survived by his wife Julie, Daughter Angela (Larry) Navratil; Granddaughters Amanda (Casey) Comstock, Ashley (Adam) Hoffman, Katie Lynn (Sam) Harris, Jillian Navratil, Joslynn Navratil.  Great Grandchildren:  Koen, Kenlee and Grayson; Sister Eileen Morman Brother-in-law Timothy Stevens and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding in death were his parents, Henry and Edith; Son Gordon Donald, Sister Elenore Kappel, Brother Gordon Evenson, and many Aunts and Uncles.