Robert “Bob” Evans, 72, of Williston, passed away at his home on Sunday evening, June 11, 2023, under the care of hospice and with his family at his side.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Russell Kovash at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 16, 2023. Interment in Riverview Cemetery, with military rites will follow the funeral mass. There will be a Rosary service at Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home on Thursday evening at 5:00 PM
Visitation will at Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home on Thursday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM and for the hour preceding the service at the church on Friday.
On September 26, 2022, Bob embarked on an incredible journey. As he began this journey, he knew not his itinerary nor his destination but believed and trusted completely in the One who did.
Bobs’ journey was one of strength and courage, faith and trust - one of grace and dignity, humility and gratitude – one of challenges and setbacks, victories and celebrations. It was an incredible journey of love.
Bob was supported on his journey by his loving family, his many dear friends, and a multitude of compassionate and caring individuals who entered his life as strangers but came to know and regard him as their warrior and friend.
Bob’s journey with us ended Sunday, June 11. Some would say his journey was long and difficult. His doctors and nurses would refer to it as a marathon. But there are those among us who would say it was something precious and really, quite beautiful.
Robert Lawrence Evans was born on February 5, 1951, to William Robert “Bob” Evans and Alice (Schmitz) Evans at Mercy Hospital in Williston, the third of seven children. He grew up north of Williston and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School through 8th grade. He was always proud of being a St. Joseph’s Jet! He graduated from Williston High School in 1969 and then completed the Auto Mechanics Program at Williston State College. In December 1970 Bob enlisted in the US Air Force and was discharged in 1974.
On June 24, 1972, Bob married Laurel Hannegrefs of Epping at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston. They would live in Carlton, Minnesota near the Duluth Air Force Base until his discharge in 1974 when they would return to Williston. Their daughter, Krista, was born in 1973 and their daughter, Melissa was born in 1976.
Upon his return to Williston, Bob was offered a job by his former employer, Arlo Hendrickson, at Arlo’s Sinclair. During this time, he attended Williston State College where he earned an Associates Degree in Business. He then went on to serve in parts and service manager positions at Jerry Harmon Motors and Irv Kroh Motors and as a dispatcher for Dowell.
Bob was so honored when he was appointed as the Veterans Service Officer for Williams County, a career which spanned 27 years. He was passionate about serving his fellow veterans, especially those known as the “greatest generation” – his WW II veterans. He worked long and hard to ensure that all veterans and their families received the benefits due them. In 1993, Bob was elected to the position of Adjutant/Treasurer for the Disabled American Veterans, Department of North Dakota. He served in this position for 19 years while maintaining his position as Williams County VSO.
During his career he was instrumental in creating the Veterans Memorial Plaza and the Avenue of Flags at Riverview Cemetery, purchasing the first DAV van in North Dakota to transport local veterans to medical facilities, and coordination of the Rough Rider Honor Flights for the WW II veterans to visit Washington DC. He lobbied tirelessly for veterans on the state and national levels. Bob was employed part-time at Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home at the time of his death.
Bob had an enormous amount of love for his family, beginning with his parents and siblings. That love multiplied when he married and had daughters of his own. Even their friends were loved by him.
Though he pretended to be tough on the outside, he had a heart of gold and that was so evident in his relationship with his grandchildren. He would do absolutely anything for any one of them and loved them unconditionally and completely.
Bob was a member of American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, Amvets, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Williston Honor Guard. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He made treasured friendships through his memberships in the Basin Kruzers Car Club, the Williston Rifle & Pistol Club, and the Courthouse Breakfast Group.
Bob is survived by his wife, Laurie; daughters Krista (Jeremy) Heen and Melissa (Matt) Wright, grandchildren: Jack, Maxwell, William and Claire Heen; sisters, Rosemary Beck, Andrea Evans (Lorie Lewis), and Nancy (Steve) McCabe; brothers Bill (Linda) Evans and Peter (Shelley) Evans; brother-in-law Stephen (Pat) Hannegrefs, and sisters-in-law, Angela Reisnouer and Shirley (Bob) Schumacher, numerous nieces and nephews, and his faithful pal, Mac.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Alice Evans and sister, Lila Roberg; mother-in-law and father-in-law Elma and Walter Hannegrefs; brothers-in-law and sisters-in law – Raymond Beck, Cliff Rabe, Cliff Roberg, Rosemary Birkeland Larson, Carolyn and Leo Horgan and David and Carol Ann Hannegrefs.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the Veterans Relief Fund or St. Joseph’s Catholic School, or any charity of your choice.
Friends are welcome to visit www.eversoncoughlin.com to share memories of Bob or leave condolences for his family.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Robert "Bob" Evans hosted by Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Robert “Bob” Evans, 72, of Williston, passed away at his home on Sunday evening, June 11, 2023, under the care of hospice and with his family at his side.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Russell Kovash at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 16, 2023. Interment in Riverview Cemetery, with military rites will follow the funeral mass. There will be a Rosary service at Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home on Thursday evening at 5:00 PM
Visitation will at Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home on Thursday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM and for the hour preceding the service at the church on Friday.
On September 26, 2022, Bob embarked on an incredible journey. As he began this journey, he knew not his itinerary nor his destination but believed and trusted completely in the One who did.
Bobs’ journey was one of strength and courage, faith and trust - one of grace and dignity, humility and gratitude – one of challenges and setbacks, victories and celebrations. It was an incredible journey of love.
Bob was supported on his journey by his loving family, his many dear friends, and a multitude of compassionate and caring individuals who entered his life as strangers but came to know and regard him as their warrior and friend.
Bob’s journey with us ended Sunday, June 11. Some would say his journey was long and difficult. His doctors and nurses would refer to it as a marathon. But there are those among us who would say it was something precious and really, quite beautiful.
Robert Lawrence Evans was born on February 5, 1951, to William Robert “Bob” Evans and Alice (Schmitz) Evans at Mercy Hospital in Williston, the third of seven children. He grew up north of Williston and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School through 8th grade. He was always proud of being a St. Joseph’s Jet! He graduated from Williston High School in 1969 and then completed the Auto Mechanics Program at Williston State College. In December 1970 Bob enlisted in the US Air Force and was discharged in 1974.
On June 24, 1972, Bob married Laurel Hannegrefs of Epping at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston. They would live in Carlton, Minnesota near the Duluth Air Force Base until his discharge in 1974 when they would return to Williston. Their daughter, Krista, was born in 1973 and their daughter, Melissa was born in 1976.
Upon his return to Williston, Bob was offered a job by his former employer, Arlo Hendrickson, at Arlo’s Sinclair. During this time, he attended Williston State College where he earned an Associates Degree in Business. He then went on to serve in parts and service manager positions at Jerry Harmon Motors and Irv Kroh Motors and as a dispatcher for Dowell.
Bob was so honored when he was appointed as the Veterans Service Officer for Williams County, a career which spanned 27 years. He was passionate about serving his fellow veterans, especially those known as the “greatest generation” – his WW II veterans. He worked long and hard to ensure that all veterans and their families received the benefits due them. In 1993, Bob was elected to the position of Adjutant/Treasurer for the Disabled American Veterans, Department of North Dakota. He served in this position for 19 years while maintaining his position as Williams County VSO.
During his career he was instrumental in creating the Veterans Memorial Plaza and the Avenue of Flags at Riverview Cemetery, purchasing the first DAV van in North Dakota to transport local veterans to medical facilities, and coordination of the Rough Rider Honor Flights for the WW II veterans to visit Washington DC. He lobbied tirelessly for veterans on the state and national levels. Bob was employed part-time at Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home at the time of his death.
Bob had an enormous amount of love for his family, beginning with his parents and siblings. That love multiplied when he married and had daughters of his own. Even their friends were loved by him.
Though he pretended to be tough on the outside, he had a heart of gold and that was so evident in his relationship with his grandchildren. He would do absolutely anything for any one of them and loved them unconditionally and completely.
Bob was a member of American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, Amvets, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Williston Honor Guard. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He made treasured friendships through his memberships in the Basin Kruzers Car Club, the Williston Rifle & Pistol Club, and the Courthouse Breakfast Group.
Bob is survived by his wife, Laurie; daughters Krista (Jeremy) Heen and Melissa (Matt) Wright, grandchildren: Jack, Maxwell, William and Claire Heen; sisters, Rosemary Beck, Andrea Evans (Lorie Lewis), and Nancy (Steve) McCabe; brothers Bill (Linda) Evans and Peter (Shelley) Evans; brother-in-law Stephen (Pat) Hannegrefs, and sisters-in-law, Angela Reisnouer and Shirley (Bob) Schumacher, numerous nieces and nephews, and his faithful pal, Mac.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Alice Evans and sister, Lila Roberg; mother-in-law and father-in-law Elma and Walter Hannegrefs; brothers-in-law and sisters-in law – Raymond Beck, Cliff Rabe, Cliff Roberg, Rosemary Birkeland Larson, Carolyn and Leo Horgan and David and Carol Ann Hannegrefs.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the Veterans Relief Fund or St. Joseph’s Catholic School, or any charity of your choice.
Friends are welcome to visit www.eversoncoughlin.com to share memories of Bob or leave condolences for his family.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Robert "Bob" Evans hosted by Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
