Evelyn M. Mikes

Evelyn M. Mikes, 93, of Willmar, died Monday, December 30th at Carris Health Care Center in Willmar. Her funeral service will be 11:00 am, Friday, January 3rd at Svea Lutheran Church in Svea with interment in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Morgan.  Visitation will be one hour prior to her service at the church.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org 

Evelyn M. Mikes was born February 22, 1926, in Morgan, MN, the daughter of Clark F. and Selma M. (Freitag) Wood.  She grew up in Morgan, where she graduated from high school with the Class of 1944.  Following graduation, Evelyn attended Mankato State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1946.  She later earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Cloud State University in 1973.  On September 4, 1949, Evelyn was united in marriage to James Howard Mikes at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Morgan.  Following their marriage, they farmed in Lake Lillian for seven years, prior to moving to the Blomkest area.  Evelyn taught school in Lake Lillian, Blomkest and later for Willmar Public Schools for 25 years, prior to her retirement. 

Evelyn was baptized on April 4, 1926, and confirmed her faith on March 17, 1940, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Morgan.  She was a member of Svea Lutheran Church, where she served as the church librarian.  She was also active with circle and the church cookbook committee. 

In her spare time, Evelyn was an avid reader. She also enjoyed card club, quilting, sewing, crossword puzzles, Bingo traveling and her cat.  She was a member of the Kandi Quilters Club and sewing club.

Surviving are her children: Rev. JaneAnn (and Rev. Paul) Settergren of Blaine, Sara (and Craig) Eckert of St. Peter, Kristie (and Tom) Ashcraft of Maple Grove, Susan (and Gerald) Peterson of Spicer, Terry (and Emilie) Mikes of Willmar, Robin (and Ronnie) Isaacson of Blomkest, and Jodi (and Kevin) Fritz of Willmar; 18 grandchildren and 30 great-grand-children; and other family and friends.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, brother, William Wood; sister, Janet Helmer; son-in-law, Jerome Mattson; and sister-in-law, Elaine Wood. 

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