Evelyn Kennen Smith, age 90, succumbed to cancer on May 31, 2005, at the Lakeside Nursing Home in Pine City, Minn.

She was born March 21, 1915 in Rush City, Minn. and was the daughter of Freeman and Ellen (Anderson) Bengtson.

She married Everett Kennen on Sept. 9, 1935. They lived in Rush City and Kerrick, Minnesota until 1941, when they moved to Meadowlands, Minn. While living there she worked as a waitress and store clerk while Everett was employed as a cheese maker. When their children, Lucille, Marjorie, Floyd and Robert, graduated from high school, they moved back to Rush City.

Everett went into business with his brother and Evelyn worked in various businesses in Rush City. In the mid 1970ís they retired and moved to Cherokee Village, Ark. Everett became ill in 1980, and following his death in 1982, Evelyn decided to move back to Minnesota. She lived briefly in Isanti, Minn., Grantsburg, Wisc., and then settled in Pine City.

In 1992, she met Laurence Smith at one of the many senior dances she loved to attend. They were married in 1995 and made their first home in Mora, Minnesota. In 1997, they returned to Pine City where they moved into the Halter Pines Apartments. Lourence became ill and passed away in 1998.

Evelyn is a past president of the VFW Auxiliary, past Madam President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary and a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City.

She loved dancing until she was in her early 80ís. She enjoyed watching and feeding the birds, making picture puzzles, and doing the Word Find until her eye sight made it too difficult. While married to Everett, they traveled throughout much of the United States and Canada.

Evelyn is survived by daughters, Lucille (William) Sullivan of Superior, Wisc., and Marjorie (Richard) Tracy of Canyon, Minn.. son, Floyd (Barbra) Kennen of Bethel, Minn.; daughter-in-law Connie (Robert) Kennen of Rush City; stepsons, Weldon Smith of Pflugerville Texas, Alan (Betty) Smith of Isle, Minn.;
stepdaughter, LaVon Jensen of Coon Rapids, Minn.; step-daughter-in-law, Mavis Smith of Rush City; brother, Einar (Carla) Bengtson of Lind, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Arlene Bengtson of Willernie, Minn. and Lela Bengtson Jedda of Rush City; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great- grandchildren, step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Everett, and Lourence, son Robert Kennen, stepson Ronald Smith, step daughter-in-law, Janice Smith, brothers Pete and Willard Bengtson, sister Aimee Brinker, brother-in-law Vern Brinker, granddaughter Penny Kennen, grandson Steven Lohman, and great grand daughter Nicole Lohman.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 6, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City with the Reverend Laurie OíShea officiating. Music was provided by Pastor OíShea, Jan Goebel, and Evelynís great granddaughter Kaitlyn Pederson. Casket bearers were Gerald Simpson, Dale Kennen, Gene Bengtson, Don Kennen, Dave Bengtson, and Bryan Tracy with the interment in the William Taylor Cemetery in rural Rush City. Arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral & Cremation Service, Olson Chapel, Rush City, Minn.

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com