Joyce Muriel Evenson, 86

Joyce Muriel Evenson, 86, of Columbia, passed away Monday, May 19, 2014, at her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born July 2, 1927, on a farm near Bristol, South Dakota, the daughter of Daniel J. and Frieda Sigdestad.

Joyce graduated from Moorhead High School, then graduated from Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She then received her teaching certificate at Moorhead State Teacher's College. She taught early elementary grades at Redwood Falls, Robbinsdale and St. Paul, Minnesota and in South Alberta, Canada.

She was united in marriage to Rev. Walter H. Evenson on August 29, 1952, in Moorhead, Minnesota.  Joyce and Walter served on the mission field in Tanganyika (now Tanzania), East Africa from 1955 to 1960. They also served congregations at Madison and Harrisburg, South Dakota, Stover and Cole Camp, Mo. and Palmer, Kansas.

Joyce was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed serving her congregation and worshiped with enthusiasm. Her unconditional love for family and others was the testimony of how she lived the love of Christ. Joyce had boundless energy and affection for everyone she met. She had a great commitment to encouraging others through cards and letters that she would send.

She is survived by her husband, Rev. Walter Evenson of the home; four daughters, Lynn Vallandingham and her husband Dennis Vallandingham of Jefferson City, Joy Evenson of Weatherford, Texas, Jan and her husband Dan Gray of Columbus, Ohio, and Julie Evenson and significant other, Joe Aguirre of Rocheport; three sons, Luke and Lorne Evenson of Columbia and James Evenson and partner, Duane Carter of Wichita, Kansas; one brother, Dr. Curtis Sigdestad and wife Kathy of Louisville, Kentucky, and twelve grandchildren, Rachel Storlie, Trent and Sarah Vallandingham, Christopher Evenson, Nickolas Tiemeyer, Tanner and Jacob Wells, McKayla, Cassandra, Brittany and Kevin Evenson, and Matthew Gray; and two great-grandchildren, Reid and Quinn Vallandingham.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Frieda Sigdestad; one son, Lee Duane; one daughter, Jill Adair; one sister, Mary June Anderson and one brother, Duane Sigdestad.

Visitation will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Jefferson City from 1:30-3:00 p.m. with services immediately following on Friday, May 23, 2014. Visitation will be held at Pyrmont Trinity Lutheran Church, near Stover, from 10-11 a.m. with graveside service and burial immediately following on Saturday, May 24, 2014. Officiating both days will be Pastor Scott Musselman and Pastor Jim Banner.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Brauersville Immanuel Lutheran Church, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Pyrmont Trinity Lutheran Church or Indian Oaks Mission.  Arrangements are under the direction of Fox Funeral Home in Cole Camp.