Evelyn Catherine Nelson, 83, Douglas, peacefully passed into paradise on Friday, October 28th, 2011 surrounded by her family after a brief courageous battle with cancer. The Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Evelyn's Life will be held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison, ND on Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Evelyn will be laid to rest at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

Evelyn was born at Walhalla, ND on September 8th, 1928 to James and Vina (Mineir) White. She was the third youngest of eleven brothers and sisters. Evelyn grew up and attended school at Walhalla and also worked in Walhalla. In 1945 while on a train trip to visit family in California, she met her future husband, Leonard, who was in the Army. They grew their relationship through corresponding until Leonard's discharge. They were married on January 20th, 1949 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla. The temperature on that day was 43 degrees below zero. They briefly lived in Walhalla until moving to Douglas, ND in the spring of 1949, at which time they started farming. Five children were born to this union.

Evelyn loved to cook and bake and the holidays were filled with the smells of her cooking. She also liked to knit and crochet and friends and family enjoyed the warmth of her many afghans. Reading, jigsaw puzzles, word searches and crossword were among her likes.

Evelyn was very active in the Holy Cross Altar Society and the Immaculate Conception Society, and the local homemakers club. Evelyn had a gentle and giving heart, which was displayed in her devotion to her family. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 62 year, Leonard; sons, James (Alice) of Bismarck, Norman (Nita) of Douglas; daughters, Carrie (Mark) Ahmann, of Max, Gail (Dan) Leidholm of Coleharbor, Brenda Ferri of Hopkinton, MA and a very special daughter / niece, Jean Blonigen of Mobridge, SD; 9 grandchildren, James (JJ) Nelson of Culpepper, VA, Jodi (Brad) Meyer of Johnson, IA, Jesse and Cody Ahmann, Max, Douglas (Nikki) Leidholm, Coleharbor, Dwight Leidholm, Fargo, and Scott Leidholm, Coleharbor, Jackie and Jeffery Ferri, Hopkinton, MA; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Henry Meyer; step-grandchildren, Sue Selensky, Bismarck, Jeremy (Becky) Johnson, Fargo; step great grandchildren, Luke and Brook Selensky, and Dillon, Faith, Grace and Madison Johnson ; brother, Raymond White, Michigan; sister, Helene (Bernie) Sayers, Garden Grove, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, 5 sisters, and 3 brothers.