Earl Eveland

Earl T. Eveland, age 86, of Backus, MN, who was a pastor of churches in Cummings, ND, and Newfolden, MN, died Sunday morning, January 19, 2014, in the VA Nursing Home in St. Cloud, MN.

Services will be 11 AM on Saturday, January 25, at Mildred Bible Chapel, Backus. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7 PM at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will be in the Mildred Cemetery.

Earl was born on November 1, 1927, on the family farm in Pine River Township, to Ray and Flora (Arbogast) Eveland. He attended school in Backus. At the age of eleven, after hearing the story of the rich man and Lazarus, he prayed with his mom to repent and choose to let God lead his life. He graduated from Backus High School in 1945, and served in the Navy for three years. In 1949, he went to Northwestern Bible College in St. Paul, followed by Seminary training at Fourth Baptist. In 1954, he married Irene (Viner) at Berean EFC. He was called to pastor for 9 years in Cummings, ND, and 27 years in Newfolden, MN, before moving back to Backus in 1993.

Earl is survived by his loving wife of 59 ½ years, Irene; and his children: Karla (Phil) Saint of Willmar, MN, Cheryl Eveland of Karlstad, MN, Paula Eveland of Little Canada, MN, Alan Eveland of Centerville, MN; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Karl Saint of Willmar, MN, Daniel (Katie) Saint, Ezra and Zack of New London, WI, Benjamin (Missy) Saint and Elias of Orange City, IA; brothers and sisters: Bert (Fern) Eveland, Carol Eveland, Duane (Donna) Eveland, Don (Mary) Eveland, Mona Bean, Sandy Eveland all of the Backus/Pine River area, Larry (Elizabeth) Eveland of Brazil; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ellis (Marge) Viner, Wayne (Joan) Viner, Harland (Ruth) Viner, Garnet (Len) Flemming, Darlene Lassig, Carol (Jan) Whitbeck, Leslie Viner; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brothers, John, Gerald and Glen Eveland; sisters, Helen Erickson, Gladys Youngquist, Betty Bettex; brothers-in law, Eldon, Harold and Eugene Viner.