Evelyn Butson

Evelyn Thorson Butson was born on June 6, 1918 in Tripoli, IA to Theodore and Ava (Glesne) Thorson. The family moved to Waverly, IA where her brother Burton (Burt) was born. In 1924, the family relocated to the Glesne Farm near St. Olaf, IA where Evelyn spent her childhood. Evelyn attended Waldorf Academy in Forest City, IA her first two years of high school. Following her graduation from Elkader High School, Evelyn attended Elkader Junior College and Iowa State University. She graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Home Economics, and taught at Ruthven, IA, Dows, IA, and Morris, MN schools.
Sometime later, she taught courses in clothing and nutrition at Gustavus Adolphus College. As farms throughout Minnesota began to get electricity, Evelyn worked with the Rural Electrical Association co-op teaching people how to use electric stoves and washing machines. While working for the REA in Elk River, Evelyn met her husband Vernon. The two were married in 1953 and made their home in Albert Lea, MN, later moving to Tracy, MN where they raised their children, Mary, Gregory, Lynn, and Alan. In 1974, the family moved to Fergus Falls, MN, and to Baby Lake near Hackensack, MN in 1982. Evelyn and Vernon moved to Baxter, MN in 2001.
Wherever Evelyn lived, she was an active member in the Lutheran church. She loved singing and studying the bible. Evelyn was an avid reader and also enjoyed sewing.
Evelyn died Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at Edgewood Vista in Brainerd, MN at the age of 93. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents Theodore and Ava and by her brother Burton. She is survived by Vernon her husband of 58 years; daughter, Mary (Craig) Loving of Denver, CO; son, Gregory of Lewisville, TX; daughter, Lynn Butson, of Las Vegas, NV; son, Alan (Chris), of Carson City, NV; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Evelyn is also survived by numerous friends and relatives.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 21, 2011 at Lord of Life Church in Baxter. Family and friends are invited to gather Thursday evening from 5-7 PM at the Brenny Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to services on Friday. A luncheon will be held after the services on Friday in the Brenny Funeral Chapel Reception Room before interment will take place at 2:00 PM the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.