Funeral services for Evelyn Stoesz, 89, of Mountain Lake will be held at 10 a.m. this Thursday morning, January 23, 2014, at Community Bible Church in Mountain Lake. The clergy will be Pastor Dan Keegan. The church is located at 500 Klein Street. Evelyn Stoesz passed away Sunday, January 19, 2014, in Mountain Lake.
Visitation will be in the chapel at Sturm Funeral Home in Mountain Lake on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral home is located at 420 10th Street North in Mountain Lake. Another visitation will be held at the church the day of the funeral service from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Evelyn (Loewens) Stoesz was born in McClusky, North Dakota to Henry S. and Marie (Benzler) Loewens on June 24, 1924. When Evelyn was just two-and-one-half-years old, her mother was died of pernicious anemia. Prior to Marie’s death, she had asked her parents-in-law, Anuta and Henry Loewens, to care for Evelyn when she passed away because she feared her husband, Henry, would not be able to care for their two sons, Orlando and LaVern, as well as their daughter, Evelyn. So, when Anuta and Henry Loewens came for their daughter-in-law’s funeral, they brought Evelyn with them back to their home in Minnesota. Evelyn called them “Oma” and “Opa.”
Evelyn’s father Henry hired Nettie Seibel of McClusky to care for his young sons. They later fell in love and got married, and Evelyn returned to McClusky from her grandparents’ home and they became a family again. Evelyn gained another sibling when her brother Norman was born. The family of six moved from McClusky to Mountain Lake, where Evelyn’s father farmed his father’s farm. Five more children were born to Nettie and Henry, and included Linda, Elsie, Alice, Jim and Carol – making a family of 11.
When Evelyn was 12-years-old, her family went to the Gospel Tabernacle in Mountain Lake to revival meetings. She accepted the Lord at one of those meetings, and was happy when her sisters and brothers felt that same joy as she did when they followed her lead.
Evelyn, and John Stoesz, attended the same church, the Mennonite Brethren Church in Mountain Lake, but did not really know each other. Eventually, John met Evelyn through his good friend, Sam Peters, at a revival meeting at Mountain Lake City Park. With Sam’s encouragement, John followed her and asked if he could give her a ride home. She said, “I have to ask my dad.” When she returned to John, he asked, “What did he say?” She told him, “He said, ‘No.'” . . . and then added, “Just kidding!” Thus began the romance of Evelyn and John.
Evelyn went on to Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas after graduating from high school, and taught for a year in Harvey, North Dakota. John continued to pursue her, taking the train to see her. They were married on June 20, 1946. Their first-born was Janelle in 1947, second was Craig in 1953 and Wendell in 1954.
Evelyn was first a wife, mother and grandmother. But, she also served in various capacities in the Mennonite Brethren Church, directing the children’s choir, teaching Sunday School, serving on the food committee, and more. She also served as an aide at Mountain Lake Public School. Evelyn enjoyed volunteering at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake, Swan Lake Center in Delft and Care and Share of Mountain Lake. She was a member of The Tuesday Study Club in Mountain Lake and the Christian Women’s Club in Windom.
Survivors includle her husband, John; daughter, Janelle (Fred Wilkinson) Stoesz, sons, Craig (Myra) Stoesz and Wendell Stoesz; siblings, LaVern (Mandy) Loewens, Norman (Dora) Loewens, Linda Friesen, Elsie (Jim) Schultz, Alice (David) Hooge, Jim (Darlene) Loewens, and Carol (Wallace) Clement; grandchildren, Megan (Ryan Lutz) Stoesz Weidenbach, Alysia (Mark) Johnson, Juhl (Jenny) Stoesz, and Ash (Shelly) Stoesz. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was predeceased by her father, mother, step-mother, brother, Orlando and brothers-in law, Vern Suderman, Arthur Rahn and Ralph Friesen.