Phillip Raymond Evenson, 82, of Owatonna, died Thursday, June 28, 2018 at his residence.
He was born October 26, 1935 in Berlin Township, Steele County, Minnesota the son of Raymond and Gladys (Thompson) Evenson. He was baptized into the Lutheran Faith at LeSueur River Lutheran Church in New Richland and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Hope. Phillip attended grade school in Berlin and Hope and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1953. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1957, and then attended Army Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1960. In 1961, he transferred to the Army Reserves from which he retired as a Major in 1979.
On June 22, 1957, Phillip married Carroll King. He worked at Jostens in Owatonna and Attleboro, Massachusetts as a production worker, engineer and supervisor. He semi-retired in 1990, and then worked at Tandem Products, Inc. in Blooming Prairie for 18 months, Gandy Company in Owatonna for three years and completely retired in 1997.
Phillip's hobbies included hunting, fishing, woodworking, watching the Vikings and Twins, working around the outside of the house and having coffee and breakfast with some of his buddies. He was the Company Commander of the Faribault Army Reserve Ordnance Unit and was also involved in the American Legion Toastmasters, Minnesota Certified Firearms Instructor, Junior Achievement and the 20 Rifle and Pistol Club.
He is survived by his wife Carroll Evenson of Owatonna; children, Kelly (Bill) Donohue of Grand Rapids, MI, Laurie Evenson of La Crescent and Troy (Nancy) Evenson of Owatonna; seven grandchildren, Katie (Alex) Grimes, Thomas Evenson, Ryan (Heidi) Donohue, Chelsea Evenson, Mark Donohue, Tanner Evenson and Jack Evenson; five great-grandchildren, Parker Smith, William Grimes, Kaine Smith, Henry Grimes and Lydia Donohue; two nephews and one niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Genelle Loberg and infant sister, Sharon Kaye Evenson.
Visitation was held at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Monday, July 2nd from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A Memorial Service was held July 2, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna with Reverend Russell Rudolf officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Epilepsy Foundation or the American Diabetes Association.