Evelyn M. Thode

EVELYN MARION (SWENSON) THODE was born February 22, 1925 to Charles Hildebrandt and Rose Anna (Olson) Swenson in Luverne, MN. She was raised on a farm in Springwater Township, Rock County. Evelyn was baptized on July 19, 1925 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Luverne and later confirmed on July 19, 1939. She attended Springwater Township Country School and Luverne High School. Evelyn’s first job was Hack’s Worthmore Egg Candling Processing. She decided to move to Spokane, WA for a short time and worked in a bakery. When she returned to Luverne she began to work for Forrest Dairy Ice Cream Store. While working at Forrest Dairy she met her future husband, Clarence. Evelyn was united in marriage to Clarence Claus Thode on May 19, 1949 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Luverne. The couple made their home on a farm west of Hardwick, MN working the land and raising their five children. Clarence and Evelyn retired from farming in 1994. Clarence passed away on September 27, 1997 and Evelyn moved to Luverne on February 28, 1998. Evelyn was able to stay in her home until she became a resident of the Minnesota Veterans Home of Luverne in October, 2012. She thoroughly enjoyed stay at the Veterans Home, making many new friends and enjoying her time with everyone.

Evelyn was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church and her church family was very important. Evelyn participated in various church ministries: Way & Means, Sewing, Back to School Kits, and Funeral Group. Evelyn was a member of the Denver Extension Club. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and reading. She loved bingo and entertaining family and friends. She was known for her home-made potato salad, French Cream Cake, Christmas Cookies, Lefse and her hand-made crafts. Evelyn was a very “modern” scholar and ahead of her time concerning her interest in women’s rights and environment programs. Evelyn’s greatest accomplishment was teaching her children about the Lord, God Almighty and living a faithful life each day.

On Friday, September 22, 2017 Evelyn went to be with her Lord at the age of 92 years, 7 months.

Evelyn will be lovingly remembered by her children, Gerald (Mary) Thode, Sioux Falls, SD, Pamela Schmidt, Tea, SD, daughter-in-law, Gayl Thode, Pipestone, MN, Joyce (Larry Mulvihill) Thode, Luverne, and Brian (Rita) Thode, Jasper, MN; 12 grandchildren, Michelle Thode, Brian (Toni) Schmidt, Michael (Jennifer) Thode, Mark, Laura and Krista (fianc, Tylan Vanderwal) Thode, Jason (Marissa) Thode, Roxanne Thode, Renae (Kawika) Afelin, BriAnna Thode, Brooke (fianc David Bryan) and Nicole (Colton) Damm; 17 great-grandchildren (with one expected in February, 2018), Shai-Lyn, Isaiah, Cory, Kaden, Presley, Connor, Hailey, Ezra, Rome, Tessa, Aila, KJ, Ashtyn, Cora, Ellie, Chloe and Emerson; and a sister-in-law, Virgene Swenson Bullis, Luverne, MN. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; son, James (August 15, 2016); son-in-law, John Schmidt; grandson, Mathew; great-grandchildren, DeShawn and Alixzandria; her parents, Charles and Rose Swenson; three brothers, Charles (Cecilia) Swenson, Douglas Swenson and Robert Swenson; and a brother-in-law Lawrence (Leona) Thode.