Margery “Marge” Ann Evenson, 94, of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2024, at her home with her family by her side.

Margery Evenson

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at First Lutheran Church. Burial took place at Lakewood Cemetery.

Born on April 21, 1930, in Albert Lea, she was the daughter of Robert and Mabel (Oppegard) Kilbride. On November 18, 1951, Marge was united in marriage to Robert Evenson at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Together the couple created a life filled with love, joy, and laughter.

Marge had a lifelong passion for caring for others. Following her graduation from Albert Lea High School in 1948, she obtained a nursing degree from the local Naeve Hospital School of Nursing. Later, in 1978, seeing an unmet need in her community, she traveled to Pennsylvania to attend an 8-week program at the Harrisburg Hospital School of Enterostomal Therapy. Upon her return to Minnesota, she became a founding member of the Albert Lea Ostomy Group, a supportive community for ostomates and their caregivers.

At the time of her retirement from Naeve Hospital in 1994, Marge had provided comfort and healing to her community for over 40 years in her work as a nurse.

She was an active member of First Lutheran Church, where she participated in the Holidays Ahead craft group, taught Sunday School, and served as a parish nurse. She found joy in reading, crafting, painting, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Marge always embraced her Irish heritage; she credited her spunk to the “Irish in her”. In 2004, she was able to achieve her dream of visiting Ireland, accompanied by a daughter and granddaughter.

Marge was known for singing a unique version of “Happy Birthday” to her extended family every year. She loved her family deeply, and is survived by her children, Linda Evenson, Lori Frerichs, Kathy (John) Bengtson, Brian (Sue Brockman) Evenson, and Brad (Missy) Evenson; grandchildren, Caleb (Wendy), Emily (Justin), Dmitry, Anthony, Sasha, Zach, and Elizabeth; great-grandchildren, Remi, Oliver, and Emmett; and many extended family members and friends.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Mabel Kilbride; her husband of 52 years, Robert Evenson; a brother, Robert “Bob” V. Kilbride Jr.; and a son-in-law, Lyle Frerichs.

The Evenson family would like to extend a sincere “Thank You” to the hospice staff for their care and compassion.