Service Information
John A. Evanson, age 63, of Brownton, Minnesota, formerly of Mason, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at his home.
Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson, Minnesota, with interment in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Brownton.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.
Obituary
John Allen Evanson was the devoted father of Anna and Nic, the center and loves of his life. He was a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher and coach. Two of his sixth graders were rewarded in Washington DC for their creative history projects and his wrestling team celebrated their success by shaving John’s head!
John was compassionate, sweet, and fun-loving, with a hearty laugh and a zest for living. He loved his family and friends and was a passionate advocate for others, often expressed in his political beliefs. John was forced to retire early and relocate to live with his mother in Minnesota. His medical condition required dialysis treatments three times a week and he was blessed with excellent care at the Fresenius Medical Center in Hutchinson. Thanks to all their wonderful staff!
Relocation also meant that John would reconnect with many of his college rugby teammates and friends from his years at Mankato State University (now known as University of Minnesota, Mankato). Their friendship sustained and supported him through his medical challenges. Thanks to each and everyone of you!
Olive and Robert feel blessed to have had the past six years with John. The brothers would spend the day together, often searching for unique ethnic restauranteurs where they could laugh and talk together. John was a loving son, a challenging cribbage player, a creative woodworker and stain glass artist, an adventurous cook, as well as Olive’s computer guru and encyclopedic resource of information (historical, scientific, and trivial!). John, you will be missed! May you rest in peace.
John is survived by his daughter, Anna; son, Nic (Emma); three grandchildren, Sara, Everett, and Alice; mother, Olive Evanson; brother, Robert (Sheila); three nieces and nephews, James, Tara, and Ross; and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
John is preceded in death by his Father, Everett Evanson; and grandparents.
Our thanks to the Brownton Rescue Squad for their excellent care, to the Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel, and to the wonderful persons who have sent their condolence.
Scott Jansen says
I love you and will miss you. You were the yin to my yang in the classroom. I loved teaching with you and the kids loved you to. I’ll miss our talks as so much. Your wisdom and insight will never be forgotten. You helped all of us become better more caring people.
Love you John,
Scott
Shannon hahn says
Our deepest sympathies to the Evanson family.
Tim and Shannon Hahn
Shannon hahn says
Our deepest sympathies to the Evanson family.
Tim and Shannon Hahn
Arden and Marilyn Alsleben says
So very sorry for your families loss Olive Evanson and Robert Evanson families. Our deepest sympathy to you all. If we can do anything for you Olive please let us know . Thinking of you and prayers .
Dennis & Deb Rosenau says
So sorry for your loss. You have our deepest sympathies. He will be missed. Prayers for strength and peace. Big hugs for all of your families.
TracyJorgensen says
Our deepest sympathy so sorry for your loss.
Tracy(Kucera) and Arnie Jorgensen
Tracy Hayward says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Evanson family. He was an amazing man. Rest In Peace Mr. Evanson.
The Hayward family.
June & Randy Knick says
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers.
Judy Sharpe says
I will always remember John and his
moments at Eaton Rapids Middle School! You touched the lives of so many people! Of course John I will always remember us getting stuck in the elevator together and having to call the fire department!!! How could one forget that ever!!!! Love you John and God Bless!!
Jeremy Babcock says
Mr. Evanson was one of those teachers who always had a positive impact on student learning at both the middle school and high school level. It was an honor and a privilege to have him as one of my history teachers’ in high school. Please accept my condolences on the passing of Mr. Evanson. It was an honor to have known such a great teacher to many of us.
Christian Blackburn says
Mr. Evanson was such a memorable part of my high school experience and education. While teaching, he never failed to stay true to himself and his beliefs while remaining unbiased and open to all others. This heavily influenced me to do the same at the time and contributed to the foundation of my motivations today. During lunch he opened his classroom to all who wanted to join and shared his stories and wisdom to us, blending in as a friend while we ate. After his move and after my graduation he kept in touch, always wishing me well and congratulating me on my latest achievements. Always made my day. I don’t think I have the words to properly portray him or do him justice but I know his memory will undoubtedly live on in those who he taught and those who had the pleasure of simply interacting with him.
Rest in peace. My condolences to his family and those who loved him.
Karissa White says
I loved you and your class so much!! You will be forever missed.
Jillaine Mackenthun says
Rusty and Family ~ I am sorry on the loss of John. May our Lord be with you at this time for comfort, support and peace.
Paula Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the Evanson Families. It is quite obvious that this much loved gentleman left a lasting impression on any that knew him. Godspeed!
Charlie and Kim Schimmelpfennig says
Our deepest sympathies to the Evanson’s.
Rachel Biel says
John is my dear cousin and I will always keep him in my heart. All of my memories of him are of someone full of love, sensitivity, and immense interest in and knowledge of science, history, archaeology, social justice and the craft behind beauty. He bemoaned how much of our society has discarded these interests and values and longed for intelligent dialogue and progress. We chatted now and then on Facebook and I kept meaning to call him and ended up not talking to him for years, something I will always regret. Even with all of these health issues, I just thought he would be with us for a long time yet. Lesson learned, Robert! (I still want you and Sheila to come visit!) I believe that John is in peace and that he sees us and continues to advocate for each one of us and for our world. Now he knows all of the answers….
My deep empathy for my Aunt Olive, Robert and Sheila, Anna and Nic, and for everyone who loved John.
Esther E Koepp says
John was always such a nice guy. My mom said that we couldn’t of had better neighbors, even if we were able to hand pick them! Rusty and Robert, you have my sincere sympathy.
Karen Ruble says
Olive and Rob sending my deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Laura Rakowski-Cole says
John,
We became fast friends through our love of teaching, advocacy, enjoying a good meal and movie, our common sense of humor and our passion for looking for the good in people and the world. While I detested politics, I loved the long conversations we shared because of our similar concerns and fears of what was transpiring around the world. I remember your devastation upon hearing that you would soon need dialysis and saw as your body began the earlier stages of betrayal, yet you continued to keep a chipper disposition and stayed dedicated to hammocking, biking and crafting your arts. We didn’t speak much the past few years but ours was a friendship that would last forever. I’m just sorry that in your past visits to Michigan we weren’t able to connect. You will always be my “Santa” friend! I loved when we would go out to dinner how children would point and whisper! So much fun! I pray that you now are partaking in your camping under the stars with no more pain and now, when I hear rumbles in the sky, I will imagine that it’s you, riding your beloved bike, heading toward a destination with two trees, perfectly spaced, so that you can hang your hammock. Such an honor to call you friend. I will miss you. Prayers to your beloved family too.
Kevin & Cindy Wachter says
Rusty, Robert and Evanson family,
Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to all of you on the loss of John. I carry many fond memories of John from high school sports. It is obvious from the tributes that he had a profound and positive impact on many people.
Thoughts and prayers for strength, comfort and healing are with you all.
Martin Bell says
Thanks for the great memories, life lessons, and the drive and inspiration for wrestling that you helped develop in me. Love you Coach!
Anna L says
I had a class with Mr. Evanson and on my very first day with him, he told me he has a daughter named Anna. He said she was beautiful just like me then he gave me the sweetest smile. He was always so kind to me and for some reason, I will never forget that moment on my first day when he made me feel so welcome into his room.