Donna M. Evenson

Donna Evenson, 76, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was called to heaven on August 9, 2010 at Oak Crossing, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota following her battle with cancer. Donna was born on September 20, 1933 in the Mayville, North Dakota area to Ingvold and Marie (Hovde) Severson. She attended grade school and high school in Mayville. Donna graduated from Mayville State College in 1952. She was united in marriage to Otto Evenson on December 27, 1953 at Mayville Lutheran Church. Donna taught school in Finley, Cavalier, Pillsbury and Langdon, North Dakota. She also taught graduate school at NDSU. From the classroom, Donna went to work for the North Dakota Council on the Arts. She became the first administrator of the North Dakota Touring Arts Program, that brought art performances to North Dakota communities of all sizes. Donna was involved in many council projects, including the display of a collection of North Dakota Native American artists work at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C. She was the inspiration of the North Dakota Christmas Tree Project, that still encourages North Dakota artisans to make and donate hand crafted ornaments for the official state Christmas Tree in the Great Hall at the Capital. Donna took the lead in an exhibit of senior citizen art work known as Winter Wheat, that toured the state and was shown in Washington D.C. Finally it was under her watch in 1982, that the nationally recognized exhibition Iron Spirits, featuring photographs of the handmade iron grave markers made by North Dakota German-Russian blacksmiths opened and toured the region. Donna was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes and as a circle member. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary in West Fargo, North Dakota. Donna is survived by her husband, Otto Evenson of Detroit Lakes, MN; grandson, Eric Evenson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins as well as a very special uncle, Omar Hovde and brother-in-law, Marcus Evenson of Fargo, ND. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, son, Paul; daughter-in-law, Jean (Schuder) and brother, Eldon Severson. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the VFW Auxiliary Cancer Fund(308 Sheyenne St., West Fargo, ND 58078). Donnachr(39)s family would like to send a special thank you to the staff at Oak Crossing and Innovis Clinic in Detroit Lakes for their help and support