EVELYN MORKEN

Evelyn Morken, 94 of Devils Lake formerly of Brocket, ND passed away with her loving family at her bedside on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center, Lakota, ND. Funeral Services for Evelyn will be held on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Timothy Stout officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Evelyn will be her sons, Norman and Ray and her grandsons Dean Morken, Bruce Legacie, Brian Legacie, Raymond Morken and Lynn Hatten. Honorary Bearers will be Evelyn’s granddaughters, Brenda Morken, Bobbie Ressler, Becky Larson, Lori Hodek, Michelle Quitts, Lila Schillingford and Gwen Kvech. Music will be provided by Jason Flom, soloist, congregational hymns accompanied by Mavis Blake. Evelyn was born on May 21, 1917 at Leeds, ND the only child of Henry and Clara (Hanson) Bakken. She grew up in the Leeds area and graduated from Leeds High School. After graduating she began working at the Gibson Farm at rural Brinsmade and this is where she would meet her future husband, Melvin as he was also employed there. Evelyn and Melvin Morken were united in marriage on September 9, 1939 at Devils Lake. They farmed for a time in Riggin Township, Benson County until 1945 when they purchased a farm in Lillehoff Township, Ramsey County. They would make this farm their home for many years. They farmed together and raised their children together through the years. Melvin passed away on May 29, 2003. After Melvin’s death, Evelyn lived with her daughter Lois until September of 2004 when she moved to the Odd Fellows Home in Devils Lake. In July of 2005, Evelyn made the Lakota Good Samaritan her home until her death. Evelyn dedicated her life to being a loving wife, mother and grandmother and also to being a faithful friend to everyone she met and a good neighbor. She worked hard her whole life, processing thousands of chickens over the years, tending large gardens and the canning and freezing and giving away the bountiful produce to family and friends, making countless rounds of lefse and delving into the family history and writing a book of Hanson genealogy with other members of the family. She enjoyed most of the craft and various needlework projects that were popular at the time. The Morken house was always the “port in the storm” for anyone who needed a place to stay or a good meal. Evelyn and Melvin were both very generous host and hostess’ in the neighborhood. When she didn’t have the children and grandchildren to dote on, she loved to pamper the farm cats. We have lost someone so very special to all of us and we will cherish our memories forever. Evelyn is survived by her children-Norman Morken and his wife Elaine of McVille, ND, Lois and her husband Bud Legacie of Lawton, ND, Ray Morken of Watford City, ND and Mary Lynn and her husband Bill Martinson of Lamberton, Minnesota; grandchildren Brenda (Ken Fuller) Morken, Dean (Marcie) MOrken, Bobbie (Rod) Ressler and Becky (Kevin) Larson; Bruce Legacie, Brian (Denise) Legacie and Lori (Rob) Hodek; Michelle (Danny) Quitts and Raymond (Billie) Morken; Lynn (Mary Kay) Hatten, Lila (Jerry) Schillingford and Gwen (Jeff) Kvech; great grandchildren Jessica, Kirsten, Trisha, Marcus, Anika, Dylan, Jarret, Thomas, Danielle, Dereck, Bridger, Kade, Hanna, Alycia, Jocelyn, Laryssa, Nate and Paul; great great grandchildren Nikita, Addison and Ryley; Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Melvin and her daughter-in-law Mickie Morken.