96-year-old World War II Veteran
Longtime Legion Chaplain Winston Evenson
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor Emeritus
The fighting was finished before Winston Evenson had a chance to sign up for military service in 1946.
"I was no war hero," he emphasized. "I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about that."
So, fundamental point: Evenson never saw any live combat action. He did, however, serve his country in Korea and become officially designated as a WWII veteran.
It's a role he's embraced for many, many years, proudly serving as the long-time Chaplain for New Richland's American Legion.
He states with pride that, other than his time on the farm, he's never lived more than a block away from church.
At 96, Evenson is not only one of the oldest WWII vets around, he's one of the oldest people, period–and still sharp as a tack. A widower, he lives alone in the house he built in 1959. He still drives a car, but, admittedly, prefers to use his golf cart in town.
Evenson was born June 28, 1927 on the family farm east of town, the third of seven children born to Art and Alice Evenson.
"We just had a great family, a great life," said Evenson of his early days. "We had everything but money."
Evenson said there was little debate about what to do after his graduation from New Richland High School, so he and several buddies enlisted together in the U.S. Army.
"I guess we felt kind of obligated," he said. "Most of them [area youth] had gone earlier."
So Evenson eagerly did his part, working as a construction foreman for 13 months in Korea. The most eventful part of that was the trip over, with Evenson suffering some nasty seasickness while traveling in a "Marine Devil" ship.
"I could tell before we left I was going to get sick," he said of the 21-day journey. "We had a terrible ride over there."
The ride homeward, though, was smooth sailing, and Evenson couldn't wait to get there.
Anyone talking to Evenson now is compelled to ask his secret to longevity.
"I'm not sure," he said. "Maybe hard work. I did a lot of that."
Evenson has also had a lifelong faith in God, which he says has helped.
"I was brought up that way," he said. "Every Sunday, seven of us would fill a pew."
That was at LeSueur River Lutheran in rural New Richland. He joined St. Peter Lutheran in town when he married Lorraine Wenzel.
Officially, Lorraine has been gone four years.
"But she was gone 10, 15 years before that," said Evenson. "Dementia."
These days, Evenson is kept interested in life through his offspring, starting with daughters Mary (Routh) of rural New Richland and LeAnn (Fuchs) of Faribault.
"They're really what keeps me going," he said.
What does Evenson do to keep busy?
"I tell you what," he said. "I go to the elevator for coffee every day. There's about a half a dozen of us."
Evenson admits that among a group which includes Roger Johnson, LaVoy Evnet, Paul Anderson and Jim Engveldsen, he’s the senior member, but that's nothing new.
"I'm the oldest wherever I go," he said.
Evenson is quick to point out, however, that St. Peter Lutheran has a member who's reached 100 years of age, Audrey Stafford.
Evenson enjoys the Vikings, Twins and basically all Minnesota sports. He used to be a regular spectator at local high school games, but that has been curtailed through the years.
"I tell you, I've got to be careful," he said. "I can't fall down. Because you know what happens to people who do: They're not at home anymore."
His most enduring sports memory is Drew Pearson's "Hail Mary" reception from Roger Staubach that knocked the Vikings out of the 1975 playoffs.
Evenson fondly remembers the time in the 1940s when baseball was king in New Richland.
"Southern Minny League," he said. "We'd have Sunday dinner, then go to the game. It was huge."
In school, Evenson participated in football, basketball and baseball.
"My dad was real good about that, giving us time away from farming," he said.
Evenson was the best player on his baseball team, but, at 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, wasn't as big as most of the football players.
Evenson met his wife - a cousin of New Richland's Wayne Wenzel - through his sisters. She was four years younger than he was.
"Some people said it wouldn't work," said Evenson. "But it worked pretty damn well. We were married 68 years."
Physically, Evenson said he takes things the way everyone does: day by day.
"I've done pretty darn well, to be honest with you," he said.
That's not to say it's been perfect.
Evenson overcame bladder cancer in 1980 and, through the years, has been in and out of the hospital in Rochester many times.
The best advice Evenson has ever received goes way back.
"When I was a kid in school, my teacher sent a note home saying 'Winston could do better.'"
He's never forgotten it.
Evenson is, without question, one of the most highly regarded people in town, known for his low-key, easy-going demeanor. And he has a grateful attitude.
"We're so lucky to have all these sports in Minnesota," he said.
Some people might tell you New Richland has been fortunate to call Winston Evenson one of its own.