Paul Evenson, resident of Brookings died Monday, June 12, 2017 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. He was 83.  

Funeral services have been set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, at Ascension Lutheran Church, Brookings.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 at Rude’s Funeral Home, Brookings.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Habitat for Humanity fund at Ascension Lutheran Church or to the Brookings Children’s Museum.  Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Paul David Evenson was born on June 3, 1934, to Emil and Doris (Pierce) Evenson in Bertha Minn., the fifth of 10 children.  He moved several times during his youth, living in Minnesota, Iowa, and eventually Wisconsin where he graduated from Stoughton High School in 1952. The following year, Paul moved to Omaha, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy in 1957, and a Master’s degree in soils and plant science in 1959.

While attending graduate school in Lincoln, Paul met and married the love of his life, Ellie (Larkins) on April 11, 1959.  Shortly after, Paul and Ellie moved to Brookings where Paul began work towards his doctorate degree at South Dakota State.  Soon after his arrival he was asked to substitute teach a statistics class for a professor who was leaving the University. Forty years later, he was still “substitute” teaching statistics.  In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he also served as a statistician for the SDSU Experiment Station. His greatest reward was working with graduate students and staff on research projects and graduate theses.  Paul ended his teaching and research career in 1999. 

In retirement, Paul pursued many passions.  He joined the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity where he worked many years as a member of the foundation crew and later as a fundraiser that helped build over 40 homes in Brookings County.  He took great joy in helping young families get a start in their new homes and loved working with the many volunteers and staff at Habitat.  Paul often referred to the Habitat crew as his “band of brothers.”  

Paul also enjoyed wood carving where he spent countless hours carving special projects for family, friends and for his own enjoyment. One of his greatest gifts was presenting hand-carved clocks to each of his children.

Perhaps his strongest passion was photography.  Whether it be at home taking pictures of birds and flowers or on “bucket list” trips to Glacier National Park in Montana or a land/sea cruise to Alaska, he captured nature in its finest glory.  He often said that being a wildlife photographer was his dream job.

Paul was also active in Sons of Norway where he served one term as President, the Brookings Area Genealogical Society and Ascension Lutheran Church, with which he was a charter member (1962).  He also loved spending time coaching baseball for his sons, cross country skiing in northern Wisconsin with the “Norwegian Family Ski Team,” listening to classical and jazz music, being an active participant with the Brookings Swim Club and helping friends and family with home building projects.

Whether one knew Paul their entire life or just one day they would have to agree that his greatest attribute was his tremendous sense of humor.  Sometimes it came in the form of a crazy prank, a surprise poke, or a goofy face, whereas other times it came as a self-effacing comment followed by a mischievous grin.  No matter the situation, Paul was always on the lookout for the perfect joke or story to make people laugh and feel good about themselves.  When friends and family were struggling he was an encourager, counselor and persistent seeker – he never gave up on those he loved who were struggling with life issues and did whatever it took to help those in need, without any judgement.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Doris Evenson and sisters, Margaret Boyd and Virginia Larson.  

He is survived by his wife Ellie of 58 years; four children: David (Markel) Evenson of Marshall Minn.; Shirley (Calvin) Woods of Ham Lake, Minn.; Dale (Sis) Evenson of Garrison, N.D.; and John Evenson of Newtown, Pa.; and  12 grandchildren: Dara, Brad (Lindsey), and Isac Evenson; Christy, Michael, Jackie, Keith, Justin, Josiah, Stephen, Jubilee, and Juliana Woods; five brothers: Emil of Eau Claire, Wis.; Erwin (Lois) of Janesville, Wis.; Donald (Connie) of Loveland, Colo.; Robert (Vicki) of Red Feather Lakes, Colo.; Eric (Karen) of Yardley, Pa.; and two sisters: Marion Cunnington of Edina, Minn. and Karen (Chris) Eastlund of Raritan, N.J.; and numerous nieces, nephews, loving relatives and friends.   

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.