Dorothy Even

DOROTHY MAE (HANSEN) EVEN was born to Sophia (Hummel) and Nels Henning Hansen on March 27, 1927 on the family farm in Richland Township near Elkton, South Dakota. She attended country school before attending Hendricks High School in Hendricks, Minnesota. Dorothy graduated high school in 1945 before going to General Beatle School in Madison, South Dakota for teaching. She received her teaching certificate through General Beatle. Dorothy taught at several country schools around the area. Through her teaching she met the love of her life, Kenneth Even, through one of her students who happened to be Kenneth’s sister. Legend says that on the first date, the night was pitch black. Once Kenneth helped Dorothy into her seat, he had to feel his way along the car to try and find his seat. Kenneth opened the door and sat down, only to realize that he was sitting in the backseat. The two were married on August 25, 1948 at the Lake Benton Baptist Church. The young couple moved to the Even family farm and worked the land there for 10 years before leaving the farm and moving to Fulda, Minnesota. A year later, the couple moved to Windom, Minnesota where Kenneth opened the Town and Country Appliance Store and Dorothy began working as a nursing assistant in the Windom Area Hospital. Kenneth and Dorothy were blessed with 5 children. In 2008, Kenneth passed away after a battle with Leukemia. After a diagnosis of Alzheimer ’s disease in 2011, Dorothy moved from her home in Windom to live with her daughter, Michelle, in Pipestone, Minnesota. Dorothy lived with Michelle until 2016 when she moved to an assisted living memory care unit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As her disease progressed, Dorothy moved into the Luther Manor Good Samaritan Society in Sioux Falls on March 28, 2017. Dorothy continued to live at Luther Manor until her death on Friday, July 13, 2018 at the age of 91 years, three months, and 16 days.

While in Windom, Dorothy was a pinnacle member of the First Baptist Church. She was involved in the local extension office, taught Sunday school, AWANA, served as a deaconess, and was a member of every woman’s church group. Along with her extensive church activities, Dorothy had a great love of gardening. Every year she would plant an abundance of beautiful flowers and vegetables. Dorothy was also a well-known seamstress, enjoying sewing, needle point, and knitting. Another hobby that Dorothy took up with Kenneth was camping. The two would often travel to Alexandria, Minnesota or Cutty’s Resort in Okoboji, Iowa to enjoy camping and fishing. Most of all, Dorothy cherished the time that she spent with her family and friends.

Dorothy is lovingly remembered by her five children, Gary (Sherry) Even of Mesa, Arizona, Lolita (Ed) Stevens of St. James, Minnesota, Randall (Becky) Even of Bixby, Oklahoma, Sandra (Gayle) Clark of Sioux Falls, and Michelle (Clint) Cheeseman of Sioux Falls; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; four sisters; three brothers; and many other loving friends and family members. Dorothy was preceded by her beloved husband, Kenneth; one sister; and her parents.