Helen Evans

Helen Evans, age 90, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Monday, January 23rd, surround by friends and family who loved her, at First Care Living Center in Fosston. Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 27th at 2:00 PM at New Journey Church in Fosston with Pastor Mark Erickson officiating. Family and friends will gather for one hour before the service at the church, and interment will be at Rosehill Cemetery, Fosston. The Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston is in charge of the arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Helen Veryl Nealis was born in Thornton, Iowa on October 30, 1921 to Arthur L. and Gladys (Anderson) Nealis. She was baptized in the Church of Christ in Mason City, Iowa. In adulthood, she became a faithful attendee of Fosston Baptist Church in Fosston, MN.She attended St. Joseph's Mercy College of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa and graduated in 1943. Helen was proud to be a nurse with 50 years of service at the time of her retirement. A lifelong learner, she returned to academia after her retirement to pursue studies in History. She graduated from Bemidji State University in 1989 with a B.A. in Humanities, Magna Cum Laude.On October 15, 1943 she was married to Clifford S. Evans and remained his devoted wife until her death. Together they raised two children, Vicki and James. Helen lived a full life, replete with friends, family and interesting pastimes. She took immense pleasure in music and would often sing and play the piano. She was an exuberant traveler whose feet touched nearly every state in America, pieces of Canada and Mexico, as well as several European countries. She would take her grandchildren, niece and nephew on long summer vacations that would include historic sites, national and state parks, myriad museums and any KOA Campground that had a pool. At home she enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening and baking. She counted as friends, humans and animals alike. Helen had a special fondness for frogs; some would say she never met one she didn't like. On Monday, January 23, 2012 Helen passed away, surrounded by friends and family who loved her, at First Care Living Center in Fosston at the age of 90 years.Helen Evans will be remembered for her strength, intelligence, spirit of adventure and integrity.She will be dearly missed.She is survived by her son James (Debbie) Evans; daughter Vicki Underdahl; granddaughter Cristina Caravaca and family; grandson Michael Underdahl and family; niece Rosanne (Mark) Erickson and family; and nephew Steven Nesvold.She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Clifford S. Evans, an infant daughter Cherie Lee, her sister Marjorie Nesvold and her son-in-law Gary Underdahl.