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Evelyn J. Michaelis Obituary – 12/13/2020


Evelyn “Evie” Jelaine (Bening) Michaelis, age 82, of Glencoe, passed away Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.

Evelyn “Evie” was born Oct. 23, 1938, in Gaylord, the daughter of Louis and Lena (Uecker) Bening. Evelyn was baptized as an infant in 1938, and later confirmed in her faith as a youth at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord. One of her favorite Bible verses was Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves is a gift of God.”

She received her education in Gaylord, graduating with the Gaylord High School, class of 1956. Evie was very active in high school choir and theater; twirled the baton as a drum majorette in the band, and was involved in the Walther League.

Evelyn was united in marriage to Ernie Michaelis at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord, Feb. 21, 1959. Evie and Ernie farmed together for 28 years, until they retired from rural life in 1987, and moved to Glencoe.

Their marriage was blessed with three children, Jim, Mary Ann, and Lois. Evie and Ernie shared over 60 wonderful years of marriage, until Ernie passed away Nov. 1, 2019.

In the early years, Evie worked at the Gaylord Agricultural Factory as a bookkeeper. In addition to being a loving wife, mother, and homemaker, Evie helped on the family farm and worked at Ben Franklin in Glencoe. Evie found a lot of satisfaction in helping others.

She was an active member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Helen Township. Over the years, Evie enjoyed her involvement and service in the church Ladies Aid and choir.

Evie had a lot of fun playing with a “Kitchen Band” and twirling the baton, just as she did in high school, bringing joy and fun to community centers and nursing homes.

Evie was an organizer and loved to plan family events. She enjoyed sewing and cooking, snowmobiling, polka dancing, square dancing, and bus trips with Ernie. Evie loved traveling, and would research day trips and extended trips, planning their stops, route, and sights to see.

Evie and Ernie were blessed to spend over 55 years playing cards with couples from the community, most of which were Ernie’s childhood friends.

Evie treasured her children and was always involved in their lives and supported them in their activities. Family was very important to her and she treasured the time spent with them and her friends.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Jim Michaelis and wife, Judy, of Glencoe, Mary Ann Haag of Urbandale, IA, Lois Goode and husband, Bruce, of Lakeside, AZ; grandchildren, Katie Hillesheim and husband, Mike, of Shakopee, Becky Lipinski and husband, Kelly, of Otsego, Jodi Michaelis of Glencoe, Randi Taafe and husband, Kevin of Arlington, Ted Haag and Samantha Lawson of Jonesboro, AR, Tori Haag of West Des Moine, IA, Caroline Goode of Lakeside, AZ, Josiah Goode of Lakeside, AZ, Anneliese Goode of Lakeside, AZ; great-grandchildren, Cole Hillesheim, Maggie Hillesheim, Henly Hillesheim, Owen Lipinski, Isaac Lipinski, Tarin Michaelis, Cody Michaelis, Jameson Perschau, Kadyn Perschau, Amelia Taafe, Paul Taafe, Addie Taafe, Stella Taafe, Dallas Haag; brother, Eugene Bening and wife, Jeanette, of Hutchinson; sister-in-law, Ruth Dose of Glencoe; brother-in-law, Willis Herrmann of Glencoe; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Lena Bening; husband, Ernie Michaelis; sister, Mavis Bening; grandson, Dustin Michaelis; brothers-in-law, Richard G. Michaelis, Melvin H. Dose; sister-in-law, Lois Hermann; and nephew, Brian Bening.

A private graveside service took place Friday, Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in rural Glencoe.

Pastor Adam Pilarski officiated, with hymns, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Amazing Grace.”

Arrangements were by the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe. Online obituary and guest book available at www.mcbridechapel.com.

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