Evonne Jeanette (Treangen Otterness) Morken, age 91, of Spring Grove, passed away Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove.
She was born on February 24, 1931, in Eau Claire, Wis., to Arthur Cornelius and Norma Blanche (LaForge) Treangen.
The family lived in Wheeler, Wis., where she attended Oak Grove Country School until the eighth grade, after which she took home study courses to get her high school diploma.
When Evonne was 12 the family moved to Spring Grove to her father’s home farm.
She was confirmed at Riceford Lutheran church at age 13. She helped her father on the farm until she was married to Orvin Otterness on November 24, 1948. To this union was born four children: Michael Otterness, Susan (Larry) Erickson, Randy Otterness, and Diane (Robert) Abraham. The couple were married for 21 years before divorcing in 1969.
On June 27, 1970, Evonne married Glenn Morken, and to that union were born two children Lonnie (Stephanie) Morken and Joy (Steve) Afdahl.
Glenn and Evonne enjoyed going on bus tours (12 in all). The best was the last one to Alaska for 11 days, which started with a bus ride to the cities to board a plane to Alaska, and included a cruise in Valdez for four hours.
They also enjoyed going to volleyball and basketball games in both Spring Grove and Mabel.
Over the years Evonne wore many hats as far as employment. She worked a combined 21 years in the nursing homes in Spring Grove and Mabel, Minn. She owned and operated the Spring Grove Laundromat, and held part-time jobs at babysitting and had a paper route. Evonne often joked that she had to retire before she got a job she really loved, and that was being a crossing guard supervisor for Spring Grove Public School, which she held for 20 years until her knees gave out. It didn’t matter what kind of weather, blizzard, rainy, 10 below, or whatever, she was out there twice a day; she also dressed up for all holidays: Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and many other costumes for Halloween. The kids loved it.
She enjoyed riding her big red Honda motor scooter until age 87.
Evonne was a member of Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her children Michael of Spring Valley, Minn., Susan (Larry) Erickson of Spring Valley, Minn., Diane (Robert) Otterness Abraham of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Lonnie (Stephanie) Morken of Mabel, Minn., and Joy (Steve) Afdahl of Lakeville, Minn.; granddaughters Kari (Mike) Rassmusen of Kasson, Minn., Lee Erickson of Rochester, Minn., Jennifer (Donald) Hooker of Texas, Abby and Emily Afdahl, and Sadie, Sophia and Sahara Morken; three great-granddaughters: Mackenzie and Milee Rassmusen and Lexi Hooker; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, Orvin and Glenn; her son Randy, two brothers, Verlyn and Byron (Bob); three nieces: Dawn, Penny and Julie, and two nephews, Bruce and Ricky.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 14 at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.