Leland Elroy Evenson

Rev. Leland Elroy Evenson

Leland (Lee) Evenson, 89, died peacefully on December 2, 2022 at home with his loving family at his side.

Lee was born March 22,1933 in Hanska, Minnesota to his proud parents Alice and Gordon Evenson. He loved growing up on the family farm with siblings Gene, Anita and Larry.

Lee graduated from Madelia High School in 1950, He went on to earn a Bachelor's degree from Augsburg College, in Minneapolis, MN in 1954. He then attended Augsburg Theological Seminary where he was ordained a Lutheran Minister in1957.

Lee served as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kintyre, ND. His second call took him to Bethel Lutheran in La Crosse, WI. In 1968 Lee became pastor at Vision of Glory in Plymouth, MN. And finally completing his 60+ year ministry at Resurrection Lutheran in Monticello, MN. His life’s passion and focus was serving Jesus and pointing others to the good news of His saving grace.

In 1954 he married Merriam Anderson and together they had three children: Mark, Shanna and Scott. Sadly, Merriam passed away in 1987. In 1989 he married Barbara Reid, and they were together until she passed away in November 2022.

Ministry was not just an occupation for Lee, it was how he lived his life. He served with wisdom, passion, joy and humility. One of his favorite sayings was “Life is all about relationships: your relationship with God, relationship with family and relationship with others.”

A great storyteller, he loved talking about the tornado hitting his childhood farm, spending the night in the one-room schoolhouse during the 1940 Armistice Day Blizzard and many other inspiring tales. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, traveling, and spending time with family and cherished friends.

Lee is survived by his children Mark (Marilou) Evenson, Shanna (Todd) Halvorsen and Scott (Karen) Evenson; grandsons Spencer Evenson, Nate (Ali) Gonzales, Leland Gonzales, Ryan Evenson, Alex Evenson, Justin Evenson; stepchildren Ryan Reid, Bryan Reid and Lauren (Jeff) Meyer; step-grandchildren Riley (Sarah) Meyer and Reid Meyer; brother Larry Evenson; along with many nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Merriam Evenson, wife Barbara Evenson, mother Alice Evenson, father Gordon Evenson, brother Gene Evenson, and sister Anita Svanes.

Visitation is Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 9300 Jason Avenue NE, Monticello, MN. The private burial will be on December 12.

A time of Tributes & Sharing will be on January 18, 7:30pm at Vision of Glory Church, 13200 Hwy 55, Plymouth, MN. A Celebration of Life service will be on January 19, 12:00pm at Church of the Open Door, 9060 Zanzibar Lane N, Maple Grove, MN.

Memorials preferred to Resurrection Lutheran Church, 9300 Jason Avenue NE, Monticello, MN 55362.

Arrangements by Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, Monticello. 763-295-2918. (www.peterson-grimsmochapel.com)

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