Norm Evenhuis

Norman Evenhuis, 95, of Sioux Center, IA died Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Bickford Cottages in Fort Dodge, IA.



A funeral service will be held Saturday at 10:30AM at the Central Reformed church of Sioux Center with Rev. R. Van Rathbun officiating. Interment will follow the funeral ceremony in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.



Visitation will be held Friday from 4pm to 8pm, with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.





Norman was born June 7, 1913 to Henry and Gertrude Evenhuis in Sioux Center, Iowa. Following graduation from the Sioux Center Community High School, he spent a number of years in Chicago prior to being inducted into the armed forces in 1941. He served his military service during World War II primarily in the South Pacific and spent much of that time on Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. Following his discharge from the army in 1945, he returned to Chicago and married Rose Ridder, his wife for 60 years, on April 6, 1946.

In 1955, Norman and his family settled in Sioux Center, Iowa. He was the original owner of the new Standard Oil Station located, at that time, adjacent to Central Park. Upon leaving the station, he spent the remainder of his working career with DeStigter Brothers Construction Company until his retirement. Following retirement, one of his favorite activities was playing golf with his buddies at Sandy Hollow Golf Course until the age of 90. He was also an accomplished artist and has left a wonderful legacy of paintings for his children and grandchildren to enjoy. Norman was an active member of Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center for over 50 years and a proud member of the American Legion for over 60 years.

Norman is survived by his two children and their spouses, Wayne and Gracia Evenhuis of Scottsdale, Arizona and Barbara and John Birkett of Fort Dodge, Iowa, his five grandchildren: Sheri (Paul) Shroyer of Scottsdale, Arizona, Angela (John) Wilber of Littleton, Colorado, Jason Birkett of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Scott Birkett of Ames, Iowa and Ryan Birkett of Fort Dodge, Iowa: and three great grandsons: Benjamin and Isaac Wilber of Littleton, Colorado and Emery Shroyer of Scottsdale, Arizona. We will all miss him greatly.

Norman was preceded in death by his wife Rose, his parents and was the last surviving member of his family of four brothers.