Evelyn Sutter

Evelyn Eleanor Sutter passed away peacefully at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, MN on January 13, 2018 at the age of 95.  A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, January 18th at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN with Pastor Jillene Gallatin officiating. A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 17 from 5-7 at Trinity Lutheran Church, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Interment will be held at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Evelyn was born July 6, 1923 at home in Dale, MN to Andrew and Jennie Cederburg Swenson.  She grew up on the family farm and attended school in the Dale-Hawley area.  The family moved to Detroit Lakes, MN in 1938, after her father’s death.  Evelyn graduated from DL High School in 1941.  She attended Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in St. Paul, graduating in 1944.  Evelyn was proud to serve her country in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in the U.S. and the Philippines for 15 months during 1945 and 1946. During the war she exchanged letters with a soldier from Detroit Lakes named Melvin Sutter, who was the older brother of her best friend Margaret. After returning home, she attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN  for one year and Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis for one year. Evelyn married Melvin Sutter on October 2, 1949.  They made their home in Detroit Lakes, where they raised five children.  She worked part-time as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital from 1958 - 1985. Evelyn’s faith was the cornerstone of her life.  She was active at Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes in the women’s groups and quilting group.  She served on the church council for three years and taught Sunday School, and she cared deeply about supporting missions that brought God’s love to those in need. Evelyn believed in Jesus Christ as her Savior, and it was her wish that everyone could have that belief and assurance. Family time was treasured by Evelyn, especially if it involved a walk, fishing, or a bonfire. She had a great appreciation for the beauty of God’s world!  Evelyn never turned down a good board game or Scrabble match, and her many friends also brought her great joy. She loved flowers, and enjoyed quilting, baking, and reading.   Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Melvin, son John, sisters Hildur Olson and Esther Parker, brothers Herbert Swenson and Gus Swenson, and son-in-law Curtis Jenson. Survivors include her children, Nancy Jenson of Erskine, MN; Joel (Dorothy) of Longmont, CO; Paul (Julia) of Minneapolis, MN; Steve (Jan Leonhardt) of Laramie, WY; grandchildren Ann, David, Rob, Becky, Dan, Laura, Rachel, and Megan; and nine great-grandchildren.