Bob Evenson, age 95 of Sac City, IA, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City. Robert Brooks Evenson was born on January 15, 1930, in LaCrosse, WI, to parents Gerhard and Carmen (Woodle) Evenson. He grew up in Canton, MN, and graduated from Canton High School in 1947. Bob was baptized as an infant at Henrytown Lutheran Church in Canton and in 1944 confirmed there.
On June 29, 1948, Bob married the love of his life and true best friend, Betty Nordsving, in Lanesboro, MN. This union was blessed with two children, Randy and Rhonda.
After high school, Bob worked at his parent’s store, Amherst General Store, near Canton for two years before he would farm near Traer, IA, for the next eighteen years. In 1968, Bob and Betty purchased Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Sac City. For twenty-five years they ran an amazing store which they expanded twice. They offered customers anything and everything and if they didn’t happen to have it in stock, leave it to Bob to run home and find what was needed—maybe even Betty’s iron or Rhonda’s bike. The couple retired in 1993 and purchased a condo in Apache Junction, AZ, where they wintered for twenty-five years together.
Bob remained busy long into his retirement years. He was a great handyman and was especially helpful to his granddaughters who both lived in Arizona at one time. Anytime they needed something he was sure to drop everything and go fix whatever was needed.
Bob was very active in his community. He was a Sac City Ambassador, 4 H leader, was in Kiwanis, on the museum board, in United Methodist Men’s Club, a Trustee for the United Methodist Church, Chairman of the Community Chest, and was a board member of Quail Creek Condominiums in Arizona.
Bob loved gathering on a regular basis with friends. He was a member of FAC’ers (Friday Afternoon Club) for decades which met up until just a few years ago. The group would meet after work for drinks, dinner, games and more. Many of them that wintered in Arizona gathered there for this as well.
Bob enjoyed his daily coffee at the Sac City Community Center with all of his buddies. He was the official coffee pourer and money counter of the group.
After retiring, Bob took up golf and enjoyed golfing the Sac City course as well as with the “Good Ol’ Boys” in Arizona. He and Betty enjoyed traveling to all of the Coast to Coast store conventions over the years. They also traveled to Mexico, Germany, and Norway.
Above all, Bob loved his family and was very proud of all of them. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Going to their events always brought a smile to his face. He will be missed deeply by his wife of seventy-seven years, Betty, and all of his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Evenson of Sac City, IA; son Randy (Donna) Evenson of Apache Junction, AZ, and Rhonda (Michael) Vauble of Sac City, IA; grandchildren:
Bret (Tonya) Evenson of Denver, IA, Brad (Jenn) Evenson of Cedar Falls, IA, Brent (Tracey) Evenson of Dexter, IA, Holli (Brandon) Steiger of Sac City, IA, and Krystal Phillipson (Jeff Tiefenthaler) of Sac City, IA; great-grandchildren: Kaden Evenson, Rylan Evenson, Krayton Evenson, Bailea Reyes, Brittin Evenson, Riley Evenson, Savannah Evenson, Makenna Steiger, Brayden Phillipson, and Bentley Phillipson; great-great grandchildren: Ezra Reyes, Isla Reyes, Everett Evenson, and Ellie Evenson; sister Judy Brekke of Bloomington, MN; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Gerhard and Carmen Evenson; sister Janice (Clifford) McCabe; brothers-in-law Wally Brekke and Donald Nordsvig; and parents-in-law Adolph and Olga Nordsvig.
