Merle A. Evenson

HOFF FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE, RUSHFORD, MN 507-864-7771 RUSHFORD, MINN. - Merle A. Evenson, 77, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at his farm in rural Rushford, Minn. Merle was born on May 20, 1938, in Rushford, Minn. to Sibert and Selma (Neu) Evenson. He was raised in rural Rushford. Merle was baptized and confirmed at Rushford Lutheran Church and was a 1956 graduate of Rushford High School. On October 17, 1958, Merle was united in marriage with Bette J. Marquardt in Zumbrota, Minn. He farmed all of his life in the Rushford area, with the exception of 1960 to 1964, when Merle lived in Kenosha, Wis. and worked for American Motors Corporation. Merle also drove school bus for the Rushford - Peterson School District for 19 years. He was so proud to drive bus for "Merle's Girls", the R-P girls basketball and volleyball teams. Merle was a very active member of Rushford Lutheran Church. He had an extremely strong faith by which he lived his life. Merle was active in the Gideon's and had a great interest in aviation. He was always very interested in following all of his grandchildren's sports and activities. Merle is survived by his son, Gary (Diane) Evenson; daughter, June (Nathan) Vitse; five grandchildren: Erika (Chris) Rucks, Jessica (Andy) Paul, Jordan Vitse, Joe Evenson, and Bailey (Justin) Rasmussen; seven great-grandchildren, Evalyn, Elizabeth, and Sarah Rucks, and Ethan, Camden, and Aubrey Paul, and Aiden Rasmussen; and three siblings: Irene Hatlevig, Shirley (Alan) Garness, and Edgar Evenson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bette, and parents, Sibert and Selma Evenson. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31, at Rushford Lutheran Church in Rushford with Rev. Roger Michaelson officiating. Burial will be in the Rushford Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August, 30, at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Rushford, and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Leave a memory of Merle, sign his online guestbook and view his tribute video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com