Evelyn Knudson

The funeral service for Evelyn Knudson, age 97, of Wadena will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 19 at the Verndale Alliance Church in Verndale, with Pastors Aaron Andrews and Vaughn White presiding. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena. Visitation will resume at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Evelyn passed away on Monday, March 16, 2015 in Wadena. Evelyn Knudson was born October 13, 1917, to Peder and Emma Fjeld in Hamden Township, Becker County, MN. She attended a nearby country school through the 8th grade, and graduated from Lake Park High School in 1935. She then attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Fargo, ND, graduating in 1938, and became a registered nurse. Following graduation, Evelyn was employed at Wesley Hospital in Wadena. While working there, she was invited by friends to a dance in Sebeka where she met Leonard Knudson, and they were later married on May 23, 1941, in Frazee. They subsequently purchased a dairy farm in Wing River Township north of Verndale, shortly after which she suspended her career to devote her time to their three daughters: Barb, Judy and Konnie. Once all the girls were attending school, Evelyn returned to work at Wesley Hospital (later renamed Tri-County Health Care), where she worked until the early 1980’s. Evelyn enjoyed life to the fullest. She was an avid reader, and very knowledgeable of both historical and current events. This also spurred her interest in travel with her siblings and daughters. In their retirement years, Evelyn and Leonard spent many hours on the lake fishing in both summer and winter. Evelyn enjoyed gardening and playing table games, which was a benefit of moving to the Fair Oaks apartments following the tornado of 2010. She also continued to participate in a Bible study, homemaker’s group, Christian Women’s, and monthly breakfasts with other retired hospital employees. Evelyn was the ultimate hostess, and made everyone feel welcome in her home. Evelyn passed away on March 16, 2015, in Wadena. Preceding her in death were her husband, Leonard, on November 6, 1993; siblings, Mabel Fjeld, Alice Bergerson, and Stanton Fjeld; and two sons-in-law, Gerald Setterholm and Gary Adrian. Evelyn is survived by her daughters, Barb Setterholm of Mounds View, Judy Adrian of Bellevue, WA, and Konnie (Dennis) Zimmerman of Bertha; her grandchildren, Janet and Dan Wilson of Washington; her step-grandchildren, Chad and Paul Zimmerman of Hewitt; her great-grandchildren; and her brother, Jerome (Frances) Fjeld of Fargo, ND, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale, MN.

Evelyn Knudson

October 13, 1917 - March 16, 2015