In Loving Memory

Evelyn Belle Sorenson

Evelyn Belle Nevins Sorenson was born November 2, 1908 in Andover, Ohio to Gilbert

and Leslie (Gosnel) Nevins. She was the oldest of five girls. Her family came to North Da-

kota in March, 1909, where her parents filed for a homestead in McKenzie County, seven

miles northeast of Fairview. They had to cross the Missouri River at MonDak in a rowboat

because the river was so full of ice from the spring thaw, the ferry could not run. Waiting for

their home to be completed, they lived with Bert’s brother, Willard. Willard’s home had a

sod roof; when it rained and leaked, baby Evelyn and Willard’s setting hens shared the space

under the dining room table.

Evelyn attended grade school at Dore, North Dakota, where she was valedictorian at the

eighth grade graduation, then graduated from Fairview High School as valedictorian also.

Her valedictory address is among her family’s treasures.

She married Chris Haugen, of Four Mile, Montana, on January 28, 1928 at Stanley, North

Dakota. Five children were born to this union, which ended in divorce. She married Henry

“Hank” Sorenson on November 22, 1948 at Sidney, Montana. Henry preceded her in death

on June 6, 1980.

Evelyn worked hard all her life. Her first job, right after high school, was as a beet

weigher at Dore. She worked at the Holly Springs Sugar Factory for 19 years, ending up in

the payroll office. Because she could speak Spanish, she translated for many of the workers

who were tucked in the Yellowstone Valley every year to work the beets. She also worked

as a bookkeeper for one of the car dealerships and as a waitress at the City Café. She was in

the Richland County Assessor’s office in Sidney a total of 33 years, serving as Assessor for

almost two decades. During her last campaign running for office, Evelyn joined US Senator

Mike Mansfield on the ballot. She was delighted when she out-polled the popular, and re-

vered, Mansfield.

Raised in the Methodist Church, she became a member of Pella Lutheran Church after

marrying Mr. Sorenson. Until she moved to Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston, ND she

was an enthusiastic member of Pella’s quilting group, helping to make dozens of quilts for

their missions. When Mrs. Sorenson moved to Williston, the young people at Pella called

her their “role model”.

Evelyn volunteered many hours for the hospital auxiliary, was active in the American

Legion Auxiliary and Girls’ State, and was very instrumental in getting the Peterson Memo-

rial Senior Center started. She was always active in the Richland County Fairs and partici-

pated in many of them in the needlework department as a volunteer and as a judge. As a

single mother, she rented space under the grandstand and she and her children sold hot dogs

and drinks, earning money for school expenses.

Evelyn loved to travel; she had a suitcase packed and was ready to go whenever she had a

chance. She travelled throughout the United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada and took off

alone well into her nineties to visit her kids.

Evelyn’s advice to her family was NEVER TO GO TO BED ANGRY.

While at Bethel Home, her granddaughter, Katherine Haugen, was her most frequent visi-

tor and was beside Evelyn when she died.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Leonard (Barbara) Haugen of Ridgecrest, CA, Char-

lotte (Eugene) Dehnert of Lander, WY, Gilbert (Donna) Haugen of Williston, ND, James

“Punky” Haugen of Helena, MT and Richard (Patricia) Haugen of Forsyth, MT; 19 grand-

children, 38 great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren; younger sister, Norma

Nevins of Miles City, MT; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry; three younger sisters, Ada

Ostrem and Margaret Rood of Sidney, MT and Lucille Helvy of Thompson Falls, MT; three

grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Strength and honour are her clothing;

and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom;

and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household,

and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed.

Many daughters have done virtuously,

but thou excellest them all.

But a woman that feareth the Lord,

she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands;

and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:25-31

In Memory Of

Evelyn Belle Sorenson

Date And Place Of Birth Date And Place of Death November 2, 1908 June 5, 2013 Andover, Ohio Williston, North Dakota

Williston Funeral Service 2:00 PM, Friday, June 7, 2013 Bethel Lutheran Home Chapel

Williston, North Dakota

Officiating Pastor Betty Czubay

Sidney Funeral Service 2:00 PM, MDT, Monday, June 10, 2013

Pella Lutheran Church Sidney, Montana

Officiating Pastor Charlane Lines

Musicians Doris Norby ~ Organist

Katherine Haugen & Maggie Haugen ~ Duet Lon Dehnert ~ Soloist

Casketbearers All of Evelyn’s Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren

Honorary Bearers All of Evelyn’s Great Great-Grandchildren

Interment Brorson Cemetery

Rural Sidney, Montana

You may share your remembrances and condolences

with the family at the Fulkerson Funeral Home website

www.fulkersons.com