Muriel C. Evenson
October 20, 1930 ~ October 25, 2020
Muriel's Live Streamed Prayer Service can be viewed below starting at 6:30 P.M.:
Muriel's Live Streamed Memorial Service can be viewed below on the Kindred Lutheran Church Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/kindredlutheranchurch/
Muriel C. Evenson, Fargo, formerly of Kindred, ND, passed away on October 25, 2020, at the age of 90 years and 5 days. She was a resident at Bethany on University, where she died peacefully in her sleep.
Muriel Clarice Lean was born on October 20, 1930, at rural Kindred to J. Edward and Jennie M. (Dahler) Lean. She attended grades 1-8 at Norman Country School, located a couple miles from their home, and graduated from Kindred High School in 1948. Muriel was united in marriage to Joseph E. Evenson on April 15, 1951, at Norman Lutheran Church, rural Kindred. They lived at 210 Elm Street in Kindred where they raised their children: Bradley, Sonja, Linda and Carter. A daughter, Nancy, died in 1960 at the age of 2.
Muriel’s early adult years included employment as a receptionist and later an elevator operator, both at the Fargo Clinic in Fargo, and as a bookkeeper in the Cass County Electric Cooperative office in Kindred. Her most cherished job was that of being a good wife and mother, which she excelled at. In 1969, when her youngest was 4 years old, she began a 26+ year career as the part-time Kindred Tribune correspondent/manager, gathering local news for publication in the Cass County Reporter. Because she loved writing and taking pictures, as well as being a stickler for spelling, grammar and accuracy, this job was a perfect fit for her. Muriel reluctantly retired from her newspaper job at the age of 65 when the Kindred Tribune office closed. She continued being a sales representative for Fergus Falls Monument Company, a job she held part-time for many years.
Muriel had a strong faith in the Lord and was very active in Kindred Lutheran Church. She spent many volunteer hours at the church, school, Kindred Library and anywhere else where her time and talents were needed. She loved quilting, sewing, gardening, baking, cooking, canning, oil painting, collecting chicken items, and perhaps most of all, taking pictures. It was rare to see her without a camera in hand. Muriel took pride in her neatly tended yard and beautiful flower gardens. She was often seen tooling around Kindred on her blue Schwinn bicycle with the basket on back. She also enjoyed walking and was sure to pick up sticks or litter along the way. Muriel was a proud Norwegian who was thrilled to be able to make two trips to Norway to seek out relatives and experience the beautiful countryside.
After her husband’s death in June 1997, Muriel continued to live in the same house in Kindred until November 2010. At that time, due to early stages of dementia, she moved into Bethany Retirement Homes in Fargo. She remained in Assisted Living until August 2020 when Bethany needed to move her to their Skilled Nursing unit and then to Memory Care in September. Even in her 80’s, it was very important to her to be active and productive. She always said her secret was to “just keep moving.” Muriel enjoyed playing countless games over the years, especially during her time at Bethany, with her favorite game being Aggravation. Using the blue marbles was an absolute must since blue was her hands-down favorite color. Right up until shortly before her death she would routinely defeat her opponents and then proudly take a bow or swing her arms in the air in delight. Even as her memory faded, her kind, sweet self shined through.
Muriel is survived by two daughters and one son: Sonja (Curt) Broderick, Bismarck; Linda Widner, Fargo, and Carter Evenson (Jen Leverson), Fargo; seven grandchildren: Amber Bengtson, Kara (AJ) Richards, Luke Witty, Jared Widner (Lene Sollie), Alex Widner, Joseph P. Evenson, and Alexandra Leverson; and five great-grandchildren: Trevor, Alexa, Brynlee, Cade and Carson. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Muriel was preceded in death by her husband, her son “Baby Boy” Evenson, her son Bradley, and daughter Nancy; her sister, Lorraine Taylor and brother, Earle Lean.
Visitation is 5-7pm followed by a 7pm prayer service on Sunday, November 1, at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo. Visitation continues 12-1pm with a funeral at 1pm on Monday, November 2, at Kindred Lutheran Church. Inurnment will be at the Kindred Cemetery immediately following the funeral. Both services will also be livestreamed on the Boulger website where we invite you to please sign the online guestbook if you’re watching.
Special Note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no social gatherings or refreshments following either service. For those able to attend services in person, we ask that you choose one service or the other. Social distancing and masks will be required. We fully understand there will be many friends and family members who would dearly love to pay their last respects to Muriel but who decide to stay away for personal reasons. We know you are with us in spirit.
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I am so sorry Evenson family…..I loved that lady growing up in Kindred
I loved visiting with your mom when we lived near Kindred! Hugs to everyone!
Words are not enough to ease the loss of someone so important. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Linda and family,
Moms are amazing, special people. I know she will be missed by how you often and kindly spoke of her Linda.
Her smile is heartwarming and may you cherish all her memories forever.
Jamie and Rodney Steffes
Know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. She was a wonderful lady who will be missed. The Elm Street crew will miss her.
It is with great regret that I received the news of the passing of Lady Muriel Evenson . I pray God to rest her soul and grant you and your family consolation at this difficult time. May her soul rest in Peace
Guy Jones
President of European Song Moo Kwan
We are also devastated by the loss of your dear mother, Muriel. She was one-of-a-kind
– aloving, dear, sweet soul. She was so smart and warm-hearted. She will be dearly missed. I remember growing up in Kindred and going to school with Linda, Sonia and Carter. You Evensons are a wonderful crew. We love you very much and are very saddened by this news. Sending our sincere condolences to your entire family at this excruciatingly difficult time. All our love, Kristin Hastings (Sandness)
Sorry for the loss of your mother , she always had a smile on her face whenever she was around her kids .
I wish nothing but peace and comfort for anyone associated with Miss Muriel. I never met her, but I have met her son. Muriel seemed to be his pride and joy. I’m so very sorry, brother Carter, for you and your siblings. Please reach out if you need to talk. I grieve along side of you, friend. Be well.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Muriel but from all of Carter’s loving posts I can tell she was a lady worth knowing. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for your loss.
Though I was never able to meet her, Carter sure made alot of us lo e her!!! I really wanted to get a game of Aggravation in with her. RIP Kind Angel
Dearest Linda, Sonie and Carter,
I want you all to know how very important your family was to my Kindred upbringing! Your mom was at EVERY event taking thousands of photos through the years for posterity and creating beautiful memories for us all through her reporting. Carter, I love seeing your photos you post of all of the fun we had growing up in our little town. I know your Mom meant the absolute world to you and she was so proud of you all! Sending love love love from Michigan to you all. Fly high sweet Muriel, heaven gained a beautiful angel. God bless you all!
Carter ,
I’ve been looking at pictures on Facebook of you and your mother and all of your fun, hilarity and love you two shared over the years. It is touched my heart deeply ,and to tell the truth ,has made me slightly jealous. The bond that you had , have with your mother was incredible. I told you many times that she was lucky to have a son like you and you would tell me that you were lucky to have a mother like her. God bless you all. You’re in my prayers
Dear Sonja, Linda and Carter,
You all have been in our thoughts and prayers these last few days. Losing a loved one is never easy. Your dear Mom Muriel was such a beautiful, vibrant, loving soul that was loved by so many in Kindred. She made news worthy by the simple assignment to a big news event in the community or surrounding areas. I am for one blessed she took so many photographs to capture any moments in people’s lives or livelihoods through her eyes that we didn’t see or forgot. Lean on each other in these oncoming days as to her, family was so important! Hugs and prayers to you all. Peace and Love Muriel ❤🤗🙏
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Evenson family. I have so many fond memories of Muriels kindness towards all of us during our childhood growing up in Kindred. I remember just randomly stopping by the Kindred Tribune building and she would stop everything to visit and show us around. Your mother was a very important part of our community and we are all better people for having the privilege of knowing her, Kindred will forever be in her debt. God Bless you all.
My deepest condolences. Losing a mother leaves a big hole in the family social fabric. Muriel was a dear lady.
Linda and family,
Sorry for the loss of your mom. Treasure your memories of her. You are in our thought and prayers. What a great smile!
Sincere sympathies,
Keith and Julie Wilson
I have never met this woman, but i have met her son Carter. He is a good man with a good heart. Goes to show what an amazing woman she was, because she raised amazing children. My thoughts and prayers are qith the whole family.
I did not know her, but I did take my son to Carter. He was not there to long due to he had to go to Shriners for legs. But Carter you are so positive. And the last couple of years you have shared your mother on social media, wow what a fabulous relationship the two of you have. It was nice to be a part of it and see how she enjoyed life and her and your love was so up front. Believe me your fily can not touch her, but she is right there with you.
So sorry for your loss. I’ve loved watching Carter’s adventures with Muriel. The love and joy just showed so much! I hope you can turn her memoir into a book someday. Praying for you all during this difficult time.
Mavis (Bakkegard) Frueh
So sorry for your loss she will be greatly missed!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I have so many memories with this wonderful woman. She was warm, loving, and charismatic. I’m so sorry for your loss Evenson family. Sending my love.
My heartfelt condolences to the family. What a beautiful soul Muriel was, she shined light on everyone she met. Her love and strength were passed down to her family which makes them blessings to others. Her love grows far and wide, and never-ending.
Carter, Sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She seemed like a lovely woman, and she raised an Amazing son. Hope you are doing well. Take Care
Muriel was always welcoming “Carter and friends” into her home and made the most delicious chocolate cake. She will be dearly missed.
My deepest condolences to the Evenson family. Muriel was truly a lovely lady and was blessed to have children who adored her. May you cherish the memories and those memories bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
Linda and family,
Deepest sympathy in the passing of your mother. May the memories you hold dear help in the day ahead. It’s never easy losing someone you love, especially your mother.
May you feel God’s love and strength in the days ahead!
<3
Kristie
I am so sorry . Muriel was a special lady and a true friend. With love
I am so sorry for your loss Evenson family. Muriel was such a special lady, I remember visiting her in her blue house in Kindred in the late 90’s, she was so kind and welcoming, I was impressed by the baby books that she had for her children, she documented everything so well. We always liked receiving family pictures that she would send, with the handwritten date and names written on them. She was a great mom and an awesome person, she will be dearly missed.
Dear Evenson family, other extended family and friends of Aunt Muriel.
My heart pours out to you in love. May God comfort you in the earthly loss of this special and wonderful lady. Her smile was infectious and the sparkle in her eyes reflected her joy-filled spirit.
Praying for you in this difficult time.
Mary Beth Taylor
( nephew;Curtis Taylor’s widow)
I am so sorry about your loss and there are no words that can be put into the loss of someone you love very much and my prayers are to you and your family in this hard time in life
I am so sorry for your loss.
Your Mother truly was a very wonderful sweet woman . I am glad I had the chance to meet her and continue being in touch with her and your family through these years. Lots of love to your family as you all struggle through this.
Curt, Sonja and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers, so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Mom and Grandma.
Muriel was my second mom when we where young. Best memories of visiting Sonja in the summers. I remember every inch of the Evenson house, yard and Kindred pool! I feel so lucky to have had those wonderful days!
0ur sympathy to Muriels family, from the Blumers that lived on Elm Street!
Muriel was such a part of the Kindred community! I loved reading her stories in the paper and finding out what was going on in our town even when I went to college! Sonja, Carter and Linda it is such a tough time but she is much happier with the Lord and having her full memory back! Know that I am sayings prayers for you and will be watching virtually!
Our sympathies to Muriel’s famiy. She was the kindest and nicest neighbor to my mother, Grace Hertsgaard, that we could ever have asked for. George and Floy remember playing with Bradley and Sonja when they stayed at Grandma’s.
Sorry for your loss. Your mom was a treasure. I still remember her on her bike riding around Kindred. She was always busy doing something. She will be missed. Thank goodness for all the treasured moments, you spent with her. Thoughts and prayers for you and the family at this difficult time. Over time the pain will lessen but when you hear a song or something else that sparks a memory. Know that she is with you always and smile. Hugs for all.😊
Prayers for you and the family Carter. So sorry for your loss. You have beautiful memories of your mom’s life. May they help you during the difficult times ahead.
My heart hurts for your loss. I pray that in the passing days, the sweet memories of such a wonderful mom, brings smiles to your faces. You were blessed to have such a wonderful lady as your mom.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Carter and family! Muriel was a “one of a kind” mom that we all loved! She did such an amazing job photographing her life with you guys. You are truly lucky to have those memories in pics that your are great at sharing with us! I will always remember every time Carter and I would show up late in the evening, Muriel would make us something to eat! What a sweety!❤️
What we leave behind is not written on monuments of stone, but what is woven in the lives of others…
Our condolences to the family of Muriel Evenson. She will be greatly missed!
Carter and family…we are so sorry for your loss. Am what a sweet lady Muriel was!! We are here for you, always! Jayden, Gavin, Easton, Maya and Birdfeeder Schmoll
Such a beautiful service honoring the love, kindness and memories of your mom! Carter and Hat the music tribute was beautiful too!
God Bless you Evenson family as Muriel’s love and kindness lives on through each of you.
Sincerely,
Denise
It was wonderful hearing all the stories. Muriel was a great mom and she left an impact on many, including myself. My heart goes out to you Evenson family.
Love to you all