Evelyn Gartner

Evelyn L. Gartner (nee Sunderman), age 89, of Sauk Centre, died Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Sharon's Senior Services Home in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 19 at Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Jim Maderak officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Evelyn Lorraine Gartner was born Evelyn Lorraine Sunderman on April 6, 1929 in Yankton, South Dakota to Leo and Clara (Pluth) Sunderman. Her family moved to rural Grey Eagle, Minnesota where she spent her childhood years. She graduated Valedictorian of her Grey Eagle High School class and began her working career as a bank teller in the Grey Eagle Bank. It was during this time, she met and fell in love with Norbert J. Gartner of Sauk Centre, Minnesota. They were married in 1949 and began their life together, moving to North Dakota where Norbert was employed by the Great Northern Railway. During this time, she worked at the Wahpeton State School of Science in the bakery department while starting a family.

After 12 years in North Dakota, the family moved to Grey Eagle, Minnesota where she assisted Norbert with the operation of the Standard Oil Bulk Fuels delivery service for several years. In 1964, they moved to Sauk Centre, Minnesota and added to their family. Evelyn tended to the day to day household tasks and eventually began working as the Secretary in the Sauk Centre High School Principal's office.

Evelyn was a devout Catholic and loved her faith. She was involved in her church in every location where she lived. A dedicated homemaker, she was an excellent cook and baker, enjoyed sewing, square dancing and tending a large garden with Norbert. She was especially proud of her flower garden and the many roses she cared for each summer. Evelyn served as the Treasurer for the Sauk Centre Senior Center and volunteered countless hours at Saint Michael's Nursing Home. She and Norbert enjoyed spending their winter months in Alamo, Texas. She lovingly cared for Norbert daily at the Saint Michael's Nursing Home for the last 11 years of his life, there as a result of suffering a stroke in 1997.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Tom (Marie) Gartner of Glenwood, Cheri (Patrick Barton) Gartner of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Mark (Julie) Gartner of St. Cloud, Julie (Todd) Hagemann of Aurora, Colorado, and Jim (Teresa VonRohr) Gartner of Sauk Centre; grandchildren, Jackie Gartner of Glenwood, Eric (Jen) Gartner of Alexandria, Dawn (Jason) Buell of Gilbert, Arizona, Jessica (David) Woolworth of Des Moines, Iowa, and Jason Hagemann of Scottsdale, Arizona; great-grandchildren, Quintyn, Dominic, and Gavin Gartner of Alexandria, Taylor and Rohan Frost and Jaxon and Dylan Buell all of Gilbert, Arizona, Harper and Asher Woolworth of Des Moines, Iowa, Dylan and Emily Hagemann of Scottsdale, Arizona; two brothers, Raymond (Irene) Sunderman of Sauk Centre and Richard (Barb) Sunderman of Woodbury; and one sister-in-law, Alice (Ronald) Sunderman of Long Prairie.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert, and one brother, Ronald Sunderman.

May the Lord of all kindness welcome Evelyn into her heavenly home!