Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271555
Title: Evelyn J. Schwab
Date: 9/3/1929-9/4/2024
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 9/3/1929
Summary: Lifelong Strasburg, ND, resident, Evelyn Julia (Welk) Schwab passed away peacefully at the Linton Regional Medical Center on September 4, 2024, a day after she celebrated her 95th birthday. Mass of Christian burial was held September 9, 2024, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Strasburg, with Fr. Shannon Lucht officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Evelyn Welk was born on September 3, 1929 to Mike and Catharine (Hager) Welk, the oldest of four children. She was born and raised on the Welk family farmstead that her grandparents, Ludwig and Christina (Schwan) Welk settled on in 1893. Growing up on the farm, Evelyn’s days consisted of completing chores, including gathering the eggs and milking the cows, which were two activities she did not enjoy. Unfortunately, her life drastically changed at the age of sixteen when her mother passed away from leukemia. Evelyn had to grow up quickly. Her role in the family changed from being the oldest sibling to becoming a motherly caretaker to her three younger siblings. Due to the demands of farm life, her father was unable to tend to the children and complete the farm chores, thus Evelyn had to drop out of school in the eighth grade to care for her younger siblings, Edna (12), brother, Edwin (8) and baby sister, Diane (2). Years later, she obtained a high school degree and was extremely proud of this accomplishment! Somehow, despite all of her responsibilities, she found the time to strike up a romance with the love of her life, Larry Schwab. They were married on a beautiful Indian Summer day in Strasburg on Tuesday, November 14, 1950. Shortly thereafter, Larry left to complete his military service in the US Army. They bought a farm northwest of Strasburg and started a family with the birth of their first child in 1954. Evelyn brought seven children into this world, including a set of twins, which was a surprise! Unfortunately, their second child and only son, baby John, died shortly after his birth. Larry and Evelyn were always proud of their six daughters. They believed that a strong emphasis on religion, faith and education were the backbone of a successful family. Larry and Evelyn were happily married for 73 years. Evelyn was a member of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. She was the oldest surviving member of the St. Peter & Paul’s St. Mary’s Society and Germans from Russia. She was an active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Evelyn was a wonderful mother and grandmother, a great cook and gracious host, an excellent gardener and had exquisite penmanship. She enjoyed sending heartfelt notes and cards to family and friends. She loved decorating and celebrating the holidays! Evelyn was a devoted partner to her husband. She knew farming intimately and spent her entire life in that noble calling until they moved to Strasburg just a few short years ago. It was an emotionally wrenching experience for Evelyn to even think about visiting the farm and home they’d left behind. She missed it so very much. Evelyn was proud of and close to her uncle, bandleader Lawrence Welk. She played an important role in the development of the “Welk Heritage Foundation” as well as refurbishing of the Welk Homestead. She worked and gave tours at the site for many years. Later the Welk Birthplace was obtained by the North Dakota State Historical Society who continue to operate it today. Evelyn was interviewed and participated in the Germans From Russia Heritage Documentary. “The Women Behind the Plow” which can still be viewed on Prairie Public TV today. Evelyn will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind. She is survived by her six daughters and their families: Michele and Paul Olson; Laura and Ralph Towery along with their children: Kaitlyn and Brenton Green and their daughters: Juliet and Genevieve; Dane and Becky Towery and their daughter, Evelyn Kate; Kim and Bob Knutson and their families, Chad and Justine Knutson and their children: Madelyn and Bobby; Jesse and Jade Knutson and their daughter, Amelia, and Brooke and Jesse Smith; Dana and Mark Kramer and their children, Mason, Logan, Madelyn and Tyler Schwartz and their son Graham; Delrae & Gary Hulm and their children, AnnaLee and Colin; Cathy and Jeff Larshus and their daughters: Abby and Micah; sister, Edna Schwab (who was married to Larry’s brother James). In addition, she is survived by in-laws: Florence Klein and Jerry Klein; LaVerne and James Feist; Antonia Baumgartner; Betty Covey; Adeline Pelster; Gloria Meier as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Larry; baby son, John; her parents; brother, Edwin; sister, Diane; and so many dear friends, cousins, and in-laws.
Red ID: FND_I_79051 Image ID: 525156 Image Notes: FND001 271555

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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