Harold Evans

HAROLD MICHAEL EVANS was born to William and Susan (Steines) Evans on March 12, 1913 in Aurora, South Dakota. When he was a small child, he moved with his family to a farm south of Flandreau, South Dakota where he attended Bell Country School west of Flandreau. A few years later, he moved with his family to the Evans homestead near Dell Rapids, South Dakota, and he completed his education at the country school there. In 1929, he moved with his family to a farm near Trent, South Dakota; and then in 1930, they moved to a farm northeast of Trosky, Minnesota. Harold farmed with his father for a short time until he began working as a hired hand for several of the area farmers. On December 29, 1937, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Barker. Following their marriage, they farmed south of Pipestone, Minnesota. In 1942, they moved to a farm west of Pipestone by the Playmor Dance Hall. Marjorie preceded him in death on December 18, 1970. After her death, he continued to live and farm west of Pipestone until 1973 when he purchased the bar in Ward, South Dakota. He named this business “Harold’s Tavern” and he owned and operated the bar until its closing in 1998. In August, 2007, he suffered a stroke. After he completed his rehab, he returned to his home. In March, 2009, he became a resident at the Greenleaf Assisted Living Center in Flandreau. On March 7, 2011, he fell; and on March 9, 2011, he was admitted to the Tyler Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota. On Wednesday, March 23, 2011, he was hospitalized at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he died on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at the age of 98 years and 12 days.

While living near Pipestone, Harold was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church. When he moved to Ward, South Dakota, he became a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Elkton, South Dakota. He was also a member of the Red Rock Rider Saddle Club, and he enjoyed competing in riding and showing horses. As a young boy, he began hunting, and he continued to be an avid fisherman and hunter, especially bow hunting, throughout his lifetime. He competed in skeet shooting and coon hunting competitions with his trail hounds. Even after suffering a stroke three years ago, he managed to get to his deerstand with the aid of his walker. He raised greyhound dogs and Russian wolf hounds. In his later years, he enjoyed his faithful companion “Tiny”, a chiwawa dog. For many years, he enjoyed bowling and shooting pool. He even sponsored a pool team at the bar in Ward. He enjoyed all sports and was an avid Viking and Twins fan. He became an avid fan of SDSU Jackrabbit football. He took great pride in his flower and vegetable garden, especially raising his tomatoes.

He is lovingly remembered by his two children, Darliss Garrow and her husband Tom of Ruthton, Minnesota, and Jean Undlin and her husband Richard of St. Cloud, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Lois Medill of Hardwick, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; his daughter, Darlene; his son, Merlin “Sonny”; his parents; seven brothers, Myron, Arnold, Gerald, Virgil, Basel, Vincent and Clarence; and three sisters, Agnes Brouwer, Reninalda Powers and Priscilla Johannsen.