James Evenson

May 25, 1955-Aug. 7, 2025

Towner

James “Jim” Richard Evenson, 70 years old of Towner, passed away under the care of his family and hospice after a short but hard fought battle with cancer. James was born on May 25, 1955 in Minot, North Dakota to Harriet and Childs “Chuck” O. Evenson.

James was raised in the home on the farm that his parents and sister moved into when James was two years old. That home, he would call home for the rest of his life. When James was growing up on the farm, he enjoyed riding horses, working with every kind of animal on the farm and running machinery. His interest for building and fixing things started at a young age, continued throughout his years and his talent served him well. He learned a lot about carpentry from his grandpa Oscar and his father Chuck. That knowledge brought him to start his own construction business “Evenson Construction”. He began building and selling yard sheds, many of which are still being used today.

James’ career of ranching and building yard sheds was going well and he met Pauline. They were married and blessed with two children, Scott and Beverly. They later ended that marriage and James became a single parent, raising his two children. Years later, James was working a construction job and met the love of his life, Kathy Sue. They were united in marriage in September of 2000 at the First Lutheran Church in Granville. James and Kathy were blessed with two children, John and Jessica. They were happily married for 13 years until Kathy unexpectedly passed away in 2013. Once again James became a single parent.

James was loved by many and was always there when someone needed. Many times, neighbors would break down, need something welded or redesigned and they would go to the right place…James to help. He enjoyed welding, fabrication or anything with metal or wood and creating and building his vision. He loved the land, his equipment, his animals and most of all his children, whom he is so proud of. When his son, John was old enough, he began working side by side with his father and eventually took over the farm/ranch. Watching John take over and also watching all of his children grow into the adults they became was the proudest part of James life. It is his legacy and they will do him proud.

James is survived by his children, Scott (Kayla) Evenson of Leonard, Beverly (Stephen) of Zap; John of Denbigh and Jessica of Towner; his sister, Judy Erickson (Arlin) of Towner; sisters-in-law, Karoline (Jason) Vaagen of Fargo, Clara (Jeff) Thompson of Glenburn and Crysta-lin Hall of Grand Forks; grandchildren, Hattie and Isabel; numerous nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; grandparents; parents-in-law, Sue and Oliver and brothers-in-law, Knute and Clarence.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses that cared for James at Trinity Hospital and the HAMC Hospice team that cared for James at home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 15 at First Lutheran Church in Granville with burial in the Granville Cemetery.

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Towner.

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, August 16, 2025.