William Evans

William “Bill” Evans, 83 of Devils Lake formerly of Doyon, ND passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010 in the loving care of his family and Mercy Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial for Bill will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Graveside Services will be at the Bethlehem Cemetery, rural Doyon, ND on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Serving as Casket Bearers for Bill will be Jeff Meachen, Ray Haman, Terry Aronson, Steve Tronson, Paul Tronson, and Kevin Rysavy. Honorary Bearers will be Irving Marquart, Dean Sitar, Gerald Dimmler, Bob Meier, Joe Reiter and Donald Tronson Reading the Scriptures will be Nichole Moen and Meghan Burner Gift Bearers: Jill Schlenker and Jessica Evans William Evans was born on July 2, 1926 at Bartlett, ND the loving son of Roy and Mabel (Appeman) Evans. He grew up and was educated in the Crary area, graduating from Crary High School with the class of 1944. Bill was united in marriage to Wilma M. Fugere on November 29, 1945 at Devils Lake, ND. They made their home in Doyon, ND farming and raising their family through the years. Bill loved the farm with all its challenges and joys of being close to nature, neighbor helping neighbor and mentoring others along the way. Bill retired from farming in 1988, but continued to help his son, Jim, on the farm for several years. Bill and Wilma moved to Devils Lake in October of 2009 and enjoyed their new lifestyle and neighbors in Heartland Court’s assisted living. Bill was a life member of the Devils Lake Elks Lodge, served on the Doyon School Board and was very active in the upkeep of the Doyon Cemetery. Bill’s feet were planted on the ground when it came to farming, but after receiving his pilot’s license it was the skies that called to him. He loved to fly to visit family and friends whenever possible and spent many hours at the Devils Lake, Leeds, and Lakota airports sharing stories and adventures with other pilots. In the summer, the family loved to vacation at Minnesota resorts. This was another opportunity to spend time with family and friends, fishing and boating. When Bill wasn’t farming or flying, he enjoyed taking on remodeling projects in their home, restoring a Model A Coupe and coin collecting. In the later Doyon days, Bill drove the country roads with Beth’s little dog, Sam, or anyone wanting to join them as they watched farmers plant and harvest the crops. Evening drives were for ‘deer hunting’ or looking for other of God’s creatures to watch and enjoy. Those evening trips often ended at the Dairy Queen. Bill’s 1977 white Ford pickup was known throughout the county. Bill was all about farming, flying, family and the faith to put them all in God’s hands. We have lost someone very special to us, but his legacy of love and support and pride and joy in his family will remain in our hearts forever. Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Wilma of Devils Lake; children, Carol Kirchen of West Fargo, ND and special friend Mark Gibbon, Connie Evans and her fiancé, Dale Miller of Crary, Jim Evans and his wife, Lori also of Crary and Elizabeth Evans of Devils Lake; eight grandchildren, Nichole (Travis) Moen, Michelle (Jason) Tronerud and Meghan (Tom) Burner; Jill (Kyle) Schlenker, Jessica Evans and Amy (Justin) Knopf; Ashley Eckert and Scott Eckert; seven great grandchildren, Hailey, Hunter and Peyton Moen and Austin Tronerud; KaDee and Jenna Schlenker and Jared Eckert; sister, Bonnie Kosir and her husband, Al of Bismarck, ND; several nieces, nephews and their families also survive; Bill also leaves behind his special canine companion, Sam, with whom he shared ‘joint custody’ with his daughter Beth. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Joann Eckert; grandson Christopher Eckert; son-in-law James Kirchen and sister Marjorie Saunders.