Elda Evenson, 90, Minot, died Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in a Minot nursing home.

Elda Erna Laugsand Evenson was born on November 21, 1928 in Bottineau County, North Dakota, to George and Erna (Schultz) Laugsand. She was baptized on December 25, 1928. Elda was raised on the family farm northeast of Bottineau. She attended Bottineau Public Schools, receiving her GED later in life. Elda married Bernard Clair Evenson on April 4, 1948, in Bottineau. They enjoyed 48 years of marriage until Clair's death on August 3, 1996.

Elda and Clair owned and managed many restaurants over the years in various ND towns and later moved the family to Wyoming from 1960-1964. They returned to Bottineau and managed the Blue Diamond Cafe until 1968 at which time Elda and Clair moved to Minot, purchasing a home that was Elda's pride and joy.

Elda began working as an apprentice upholsterer for Lloyd Kirkeide at Lloyd's Upholstery and eventually bought the business with a business partner. She became the sole owner of Lloyd's Upholstery in 1976 and continued to own and operate it until 1986. She loved doing upholstery work, and maintained a small upholstery shop at her home in northwest Minot until 2010, called Elda's Cottage of Interiors.

In 1984, Elda and Clair, along with their sons, Virgil and Mitch, built the Expressway Laundromat/Car Wash/RV Park, which continues to this day, 35 years later. Elda was instrumental in managing the business until 2010 at which time she was diagnosed with an onset of dementia. This was further exacerbated due to the flood of 2011. She lost her home and many treasured possessions which took a toll and continued through the remainder of her life.

Elda was a skilled upholsterer, making sure that her work met her standards, as well as her customers. She took great pride in her home working endlessly in her yard. At the age of 67, and following Clair's death, Elda was energized to purchase and renovate rental properties. She maintained a 5 plex in northeast Minot, as well as converted her downtown commercial property to an 11 unit apartment complex.

Elda was very energetic, hardworking, and rarely took time for a break. She thought everyone should work as hard as she did and wanted to see her family succeed. She was an excellent business woman, who tended to the laundromat with an iron hand and had a great mind for numbers. Elda loved to sew anything from upholstering furniture to making pillows, placemats, table runners, curtains, or helping her granddaughter sew a Halloween costume. She enjoyed baking apple pies, making dolls, crocheting afghans, or finding something to reupholster for every family member. Above all else she was a wonderful parent, grandparent, and a good friend to many.

When dementia started to take her mind, she was cared for by many kind people who always had wonderful things to say about her. Her family wishes to thank her many caregivers for their care and compassion.

Elda's loving family includes: Her son, Virg (Connie), Casa Grande, AZ. grandchildren Clair (Lisa), Jared (Jen), Minot, Kelli Engg (Scott), Surrey, and Hank Anderson (Miki), Seattle, WA. great-grandchildren Seth, Sam, Sophie, and Codi, Minot, Courtney (Max), Wyatt, Dalen, and Dalton, Surrey. great-great-grandchildren Blake and Briggs, Surrey. Her son, Mitch (Lois), Minot. grandchildren Cory (Brenda), Minot, Todd (Cara), Littleton, CO, and Josh, Denver, CO. great-grandchildren Ethan, Megan, Alyea, Minot, and Cole, Littleton, CO. Her daughter, Lona Evenson Reiter, Bismarck. grandchildren Katie Reiter, Bismarck, and Joe Reiter, Surrey. son-in-law, Randy Reiter, Surrey. brother Marvin (Faye) Laugsand, Bottineau. Many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Elda was preceded in death by her husband, Clair, grandson Joel, brother Arnold, and infant brother Karl.

Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2019 at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment:  Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
Visitation: Sunday, April 28, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Memorials are preferred to the Sons of Norway or Norsk Hostfest.

Elda Evenson Flowers