Evelyn Stoesz

Evelyn (Loewens) Stoesz was born in McClusky, North Dakota to Henry S. and Marie (Benzler) Loewens on June 23, 1924. Marie was dying of pernicious anemia when Evelyn was just 2. Knowing Henry would not be able to care for their two boys, Orlando and LaVern, and a toddler, Marie asked her parents-in-law, Anuta and Henry Loewens, to take Evelyn home with them when the time came. Thus, when Henry's parents came for the funeral, they took Evelyn to their home in Minnesota. Evelyn called them Oma and Opa. Evelyn's father hired Nettie Seibel of McClusky to care for his young sons. Later, they fell in love and got married, and became a family again. Evelyn was picked up from her grandparents and brought back to McClusky, where another son, Norman, was born. The six of them later moved from McClusky, to Mountain Lake where her dad farmed his father's farm. Five more children were born to Nettie and Henry: Linda, Elsie, Alice, Jim, and Carol, making a family of eleven. When Evelyn was 12 years old, her family went to the Gospel Tabernacle in Mountain Lake to Revival Meetings. She accepted the Lord at one of those meetings. Evelyn said that her first emotion was great joy, then she thought of her sisters and brothers and wondered, "Do they have this joy?" Later, they did. Evelyn and John Stoesz attended the same church, Mountain Lake Mennonite Brethren Church, but did not really know each other. John met Evelyn through his good friend, Sam Peters at a revival meeting at the park. With Sam's encouragement, John followed her and asked if he could give her a ride home. She said "I have to ask my Dad." When she came back to John, he asked, "What did he say?" she told him, "He said 'no'", then added, "Just kidding!" Thus began the romance of Evelyn and John. Evelyn went on to Tabor College, and taught for a year in Harvey, North Dakota. John continued to pursue her, taking the train to see her. They were married on June 20, 1946. Their first born was Janelle, in 1947, next was Craig, in 1953, and last was Wendell, in 1954. Evelyn was first a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She also served in various capacities in the Mennonite Brethren Church, directing the children's choir, teaching Sunday School, serving on the food committee, and more. She also served as an aid at the Mountain Lake Public school. Evelyn enjoyed volunteering at Good Samaritan Home, Swan Lake Center in Delft, and Care and Share. She was a member of The Tuesday Study Club in Mountain Lake and the Christian Women's Club in Windom. Left to cherish her memories are her beloved husband, John, daughter, Janelle (Fred Wilkinson) Stoesz, sons: Craig (Myra) Stoesz and Wendell Stoesz, siblings: LaVern (Mandy) Loewens, Norman (Dora) Loewens, Linda Friesen, Elsie (Jim) Schultz, Alice (David) Hooge, Jim (Darlene) Loewens, and Carol (Wallace) Clement, and grandchildren: Megan (Ryan) Stoesz Weidenbach Lutz, Alysia (Mark) Johnson, Juhl (Jenny) Stoesz, and Ash (Shelly) Stoesz. She is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her father, mother, step-mother, brother, Orlando and brothers-in law, Vern Suderman, Arthur Rahn and Ralph Friesen. First Visitation 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Second Visitation 9:00 am - 10:00 am Thursday, January 23, 2014 Community Bible Church-Mt Lake 500 Klein St. Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 10:00 am Thursday, January 23, 2014 Community Bible Church-Mt Lake 500 Klein St. Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information Mountain Lake City Cemetery 10th St. N at Midway Rd Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159