1919
Evelyn
2004
Evelyn Sanders
March 6, 1919 — December 4, 2004
Evelyn Sanders was born in Roberts County, South Dakota, March 6, 1919, the oldest child of Mary (Holm) and O.K. Olson. Baptized Mae Evelyn Lorraine, she was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Walla Lutheran Church, rural New Effington. She attended country schools near Victor before graduating as valedictorian of her class of Rosholt High School. Following nurses training at Webster, South Dakota, she worked at the Tekawitha Home in Sisseton. Evelyn then moved to rural Clinton, Minnesota, to be with her aunt Agnes Holm Fletcher. She married Orin Sanders at the Fletcher home on June 20, 1942.
Mary and Shorty?s first grandchild, David Orin, was born in 1944 and a second child, Linda Marie, in 1947. Orin and Evelyn were members of Elim Lutheran Church in Clinton where she taught the first grade Sunday School class for several years. Evelyn returned to her calling as a nurse in 1955 and worked at Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville for 33 years until her retirement. She was known as a caring and compassionate nurse who could comfort the older Scandinavian patients in their own language.
Her final eight years were spent under the loving care of the staff of Grace Home, across the street from Holy Trinity where numerous staff members she had mentored now turned to caring for her. One of the staff was always at her side on Saturday mornings for a poetry reading session. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 4 at the age of 85 years.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, David and Karen, Loveland, Colorado, and Linda and Rick Hanson, Tucson, Arizona, and grandchildren Lana Sanders (Kirtland, Ohio) and Grant Sanders (currently studying in Hull, England). Her grandchildren are carrying on her legacy as they prepare for careers in health and human services.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, sister and numerous beloved friends and relatives.
The family wishes to thank the community for its caring and for sharing memories of our mother. Special thanks are extended to those who were with her during her last hours including Pastor David Hinrichs, Karen Fletcher Fitzner and Betty Syverson.
Mary and Shorty?s first grandchild, David Orin, was born in 1944 and a second child, Linda Marie, in 1947. Orin and Evelyn were members of Elim Lutheran Church in Clinton where she taught the first grade Sunday School class for several years. Evelyn returned to her calling as a nurse in 1955 and worked at Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville for 33 years until her retirement. She was known as a caring and compassionate nurse who could comfort the older Scandinavian patients in their own language.
Her final eight years were spent under the loving care of the staff of Grace Home, across the street from Holy Trinity where numerous staff members she had mentored now turned to caring for her. One of the staff was always at her side on Saturday mornings for a poetry reading session. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 4 at the age of 85 years.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, David and Karen, Loveland, Colorado, and Linda and Rick Hanson, Tucson, Arizona, and grandchildren Lana Sanders (Kirtland, Ohio) and Grant Sanders (currently studying in Hull, England). Her grandchildren are carrying on her legacy as they prepare for careers in health and human services.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, sister and numerous beloved friends and relatives.
The family wishes to thank the community for its caring and for sharing memories of our mother. Special thanks are extended to those who were with her during her last hours including Pastor David Hinrichs, Karen Fletcher Fitzner and Betty Syverson.