Leon Evans Archives - Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Leon Evans

May 14, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Leon Evans, 87, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Southridge Healthcare Center in Sioux Falls. His funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Visitation on Friday, May 15, 2015 will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A time of sharing will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.kahlerfh.com.

Leon S. Evans was born in Dell Rapids, SD on September 7, 1927 to Henry and Lena (Lukkason) Evans of rural Dell Rapids. He was baptized at South Highland Lutheran Church near Sherman, SD and confirmed at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. He grew up and received his elementary education in Minnehaha County and graduated from Dell Rapids Public High School.

After attending Augustana College for a year, he farmed with his father until he was inducted into the Army. After basic training at Fort Riley, KS, he served at a peace-keeping post in Schwabish Gumund, Germany where the highlight of his duty was carrying the American flag in an honor guard for General Eisenhower. After serving in the active reserves for five years, he was honorably discharged in December of 1957.

On November 11, 1950, he married Joyce Rave at the Trent Baptist Church with Rev. Chester Ploeger of Logan Reformed officiating. Leon and Joyce lived in Edison Township, Minnehaha County, until moving into Dell Rapids in 2009. After selling out of farming in 1985, Leon worked for the Minnehaha County Farm Services Agency as a field man and aerial photographer. He also planted trees for the Soil Conservation District.

He enjoyed hunting everything from wild boar in Georgia to moose in Alaska, and was also involved in commercial salmon fishing with his brothers Ruben and Tony in Alaska.

Leon was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; his daughter, Mary; his eight siblings, Lloyd, Tony, Stanley, Harry, Maurice, Ruben, Clifford and Elsie.

He is survived by his sons, Bill Evans and his wife, Gayla of Dell Rapids and Jim and his wife, Lynne of Wentworth, SD; his son-in-law, Mark Nuebel of Newport, MN; his grandchildren, Nick Evans of Cedar Rapids, IA, Justin (Jessica) Evans of Dell Rapids, and Billie (Ryan) Rothenberger of Sioux Falls; and his great-grandchildren, Ryler, Kale, Breck, Myelle and Jett Evans and Rylie and Alexa Rothenberger.

Joyce Evans

April 20, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Joyce V. Evans, 88, of Dell Rapids passed away on Monday, April 20, 2015 at the Bethel Lutheran Home in Madison, SD. Her memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Kahler Funeral Home with a time of sharing at 7:00 p.m. Condolences may be left at www.kahlerfh.com.

Joyce Viola (Rave) Evans was born to Jack and Wilma (Sherburne) Rave December 31, 1926 in Trent, SD. At two years of age she moved with her parents to the family farm three miles south of town where she attended Hunt School District #10 and graduated from Trent High School in 1944. She attended Madison State Teachers College for two years and later furthered her education at the University of Sioux Falls and Augustana College while teaching elementary grades in Kadoka, Flandreau, Trent and Brandon.

She was united in marriage with Leon Evans of rural Sherman, SD on November 11, 1950. After Leon’s stint in the Army they made their home on a farm near Garretson and raised three children; Bill, Jim and Mary.

In 2009 she and Leon moved to Dell Rapids where she was living in Orchard Hills until the time of her death. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary.

Mrs. Evans is survived by her sons, Bill Evans and his wife Gayla of Dell Rapids and Jim and his wife Lynne of Wentworth and her son-in-law, Mark Nuebel of Newport, MN; her grandchildren Nick Evans, Cedar Rapids, IA, Justin Evans and family, Dell Rapids and Billie Rothenberger and family of Sioux Falls; her great grandchildren, Ryler, Kale, Breck, Myelle and Jett Evans and Rylie and Alexa Rothenberger.