Of Holmen- Gerald Phillip Evenson, 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 25 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 31 at 2PM at Holmen Lutheran Church.  A gathering of family and friends will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

 

 Gerald “Rank” Phillip Evenson
 
Rank was born August 18, 1922 to Ole and Josie (Olson).  He was born in Holmen, WI at his grandparents farm in Johnson Coulee.  He was baptized at Halfway Lutheran Church and later confirmed at Holmen Lutheran Church.
Rank graduated from Holmen High School in the class of 1940.  He went to the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and then to the University of Cincinnati while stationed in the military.  He entered the United States Air Force on October 17, 1942.  He served in the 14th Armor Division, Camp Campbell Kentucky.  He served eleven months over seas in Germany; known as the European Theatre.  He received a bronze star and a purple heart for his heroism during his tour.  He was honorably discharged November 13, 1945.
On June 16, 1951, Rank married Carol Nesler.  They had four children together and spent thirty wonderful years before Carol passed away on October 25, 1981.
Rank married Jean (Weisbecker) Sobkowiak on May 21, 1988.  Along with Jean came six step-children and many more years of treasured memories.
Rank worked as a tool and die maker for over forty years.  He owned and operated Viking Tool and Die in Holmen from 1967 until his retirement in 1991.  He spent his earlier retirement days hitting golf balls around at different courses with his buddies,  spending time with Jean and the family at their cabin in Radisson, WI., traveling to casinos, playing cards and telling stories of “earlier days” to his grandchildren.
Rank was a life time member of the American Legion Post 284 of Holmen, VFW, Chapter 7908 and the DAV Chapter 12 of La Crosse.
Rank is survived by his wife, Jean of Holmen; daughter, Wendy (Allen) Evenson of Rochester, MN; sons, Scott (Penny) and their children, Trent and Trevor of Augusta, James and his children, Kjirsten, Casey, Connor and Micah of Holmen; late daughter Sue’s children, Adrian and Jodi Hirschfield; step-children, Laurie (Bill) Beranek and their children, Billy, Craig and Logan. Scott (Luanne) Sobkowiak and their children Jenny (Jeremy), Levi and Brady.  Kelly (Ron) Stokke and their children Cory and Garrett.  Todd (Eleanor) Sobkowiak, Heidi (Kevin) Hamil and Holly (Mike) Sobkowiak and their children Bailey, Jadia and Gunner all of the Holmen area.  He is further survived by several great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law Carol of Janesville, brother Vilas “Buck” (Linda) of Holmen and many of his first wife’s family.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Carol; daughter, Sue Hirschfield; brothers, Lloyd and Orlando and his wife Delores; sister, Constance Cotrell and her husband Reg; grandson, Tyler Amman along with several in-laws.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 2PM at the Holmen Lutheran Church, 228 Morris St., Holmen, WI.  Rev. Dan Hendersen will officiate.  Military honors will be provided by the Holmen American Legion Post 284.  Interment will be at a later date at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse.  Friends may call at the church from 1PM until the time of the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.