David Leon Evenwoll

About Dave

David Evenwoll, 74, of Lake Itasca, Minnesota died on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at the Sanford Bemidji Hospital with his family by his side.

Dave was born on November 18, 1947 in Bemidji, Minnesota the son of Herb and Florence (Vik) Evenwoll. Dave grew up on a farm in Shevlin, MN, which acted as a seed for his mechanical skills. He graduated from Bagley High School in May of 1965 and enrolled in an Electronic Program at Thief River Falls Vocational College.

He graduated in 1967, and worked for Cargill in Minneapolis, until being drafted into the United States Army, in the fall of 1967. Dave received top secret clearance and was then assigned to the Army Security Agency as a fixed crypto repairman. He served in Thailand which was a support to the Vietnam War. In 1970, he returned to Cargill in Minneapolis. There he designed control panels for grain elevators. One of which was the fastest grain terminal elevators in the world (Terre Haute Elevator in Reserve, LA). They very nearly sank the first ship it loaded!!

Dave was also awarded a patent for his “Protected for Senor Granular Materials,” instrument for use on grain moving belts.

He married his wife Pat Pfeifer, on October 7, 1972 and in 1974, they purchased a farm in Aure, MN; where they farmed and raised certified foundation stock seed potatoes. In 1980, Dave went to work at Potlach Orientated Strand Board Plant in Bemidji, MN. He assisted with designing the control panels for the new plant and was the Maintenance Supervisor until 1994.

In 1990, he and his wife purchased Bert’s Cabins at Itasca State Park from Pat’s parents who had operated it for 50 years. They expanded the resort, added five cabins and renovated others. This gave Dave the opportunity to learn a whole new set of maintenance skills, including bed making!

He bored his own internet cable for Wi-Fi to all the cabins. During this time at the resort, Dave was able to pursue his classic car hobby restoring several cars, including a 1967 Camaro and restoring a fire damaged Caterpillar Back Hoe.

In 2017, Dave developed a new homestead adjacent to the resort for retirement, when the resort was sold in 2018. While at Itasca, he helped to found the Itasca Fire Department and served as the Assistant Fire Chief for 25 years. He also assisted with the reopening of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church for the Vacationing Priest Program. Dave enjoyed snowmobiling, bowling, reading car magazines and especially deer hunting, where he was a “one shot guy”.

In 2019, Dave was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Even during his grueling treatments, he continued his maintenance skills and “can do attitude” using YouTube to learn even more.

He is survived by his wife- Pat of 50 years of Lake Itasca, MN

His sister - Janice Marsh of Shevlin, MN

Sister-in-law - Pearl Evenwoll of Shevlin, MN

Nephews – Donnie (Susie) Evenwoll of Shevlin, MN

Kevin (Carmella) Evenwoll of Shevlin, MN

Nieces – Kim (Jamey) Danielson of Shevlin, MN

Holly (Dean) Flansburg of Bemidji, MN

Angie (Troy) Swenson of Bagley, MN

Cindi (Steve) Ballard of Leonard, MN

Cousins, and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents - Herb and Florence Evenwoll; his brothers - Charles and Ken Evenwoll; his brother-in-law - Bruce Marsh; and his nephew - Dusty Marsh.

memorial service

Funeral Mass Services of Christian Burial for Dave

September 19, 2022

St. Joseph's Catholic Church 16 Red Lake Ave NW, Bagley, MN 56621, USA

Visitation will be 1-hour prior at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Fr. JohnMelkies Suvakeen officiating. Visitation will also be held on Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 2:00 – 3:45 p.m. Rosary will be held at 3:45 p.m. and a prayer service will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Interment will be held at the Clearwater Lutheran Cemetery in Shevlin, Minnesota. Military Honors will be accorded by the Irvin Blix American Legion Post #16 of Bagley, Minnesota.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home