JOSEPH ALFRED EVERSON

  Joseph Everson, 71 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Friday morning, March 14, 2014 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND.  Funeral Services for Joe will be held on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Jeff Nicla officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, March 20th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Friday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.  Joseph’s burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.  Joseph Alfred Everson was born 02 February 1943 on Ground Hogs Day to Alfred and Ruth (Hegg) Everson. He was raised in Devils Lake North Dakota and graduated high school from Devils Lake High School. Shortly after high school he enlisted into the Active Army on 22 June 1962. He spent 8 months over seas stationed in Greenland and completed his term of service. In July of 1973 Joe enlisted into the North Dakota Army National Guard into the 3662 Maintenance Company as an Automotive Repairman but was better known for his time as SR Cook. Joe retired as a Staff Sergeant in 2003 with over 35 faithful years in the military. Joe had a farm north of Devils Lake where he raised Morgan horses while working at P.V. Elevator. During that time he started a family and had two boys, Chad and Cory. He moved off the farm in the early 80's and started to work for Gamble Robertson's as a driver. He did this for 10 years and then started to work at Camp Grafton. While at Camp, Joe held various jobs from working at the State Shop, Camp South, the 164th Regional Training Institute, the Maintenance Shops, and last but not least the NCO/Officer Club (now the MCS Club). Joseph enjoyed membership in the VFW Post #756 and the Devils Lake American Legion. Joe made many friends and companions along the way and spent his tenure in the military taking care of Soldiers as "Joe the Cook" and "Joe the Bartender". He was infinitely known for his gruff tone speaking loudly "Take your damn hat off in MY chow line, and only one milk!!" Joe was diagnosed with Cancer in September of 2003. He was given 6 months to live on over 5 occasions in which he proved them wrong for 11 years. During that timeframe Joe was able to spend time with grandchildren and family. Joe spent the last 6 years of his life with two wonderful companions who brought him joy and happiness on a daily basis, his two Jack Russell Terriers Libby and Jessie. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Gladys Butler and Darlene Christofferson, his brother Marvin Everson, and infant brother Alfred Everson and his dog Libby. Joe is survived by his two sons and their families Chad and Janette Everson, Eric and Conner of Boise, Idaho and Cory and Amy Everson, Faith and Blake of Devils Lake; brother Robert (Darlene) Everson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sisters Norine Myhre of Connecticut, LaVonne Tabor of Bismarck, ND, Shirley Sperly of Portland, OR and Connie (Jerry) Schall of Mesa, AZ and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Joe also had a wonderful care giver who became an important part of his life and became a member of his family. A special thanks goes out to Joanne Gustafson and her family for taking such wonderful care of him during his later stages and also thank you to John Everson and family. Serving as Casket Bearers for Joe will be John Everson, Mark Everson, Chad Everson, Cory Everson, Lloyd Hintz and Jerry Schall. Music will be provided by Jeff Nicla and Lynda Pearson.