Evelyn Elseth, 91, died on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Meritcare Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN with Pastor Sheila Michaels officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Newfolden.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer service on Wednesday evening. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Evelyn Gladys Johnson was born July 18, 1918 at New Maine Township, Marshall County, MN, the daughter of Ole B. and Martha (Tvedt) Johnson. She grew up and attended school in New Maine through 3rd grade and then attended school in Newfolden graduating in 1937. When Evelyn started school she could only speak Norwegian. In her young years, she did domestic work for the Mork and Claffey families.

On August 16, 1941, Evelyn was united in marriage to Raymond Elseth at Thief River Falls, MN, with Harold and Delores Johnson as witnesses. The couple lived in the Newfolden, MN area and farmed. They later moved into Newfolden and ran the hotel in Newfolden for many years. They later moved to Thief River Falls, MN in 1988. Evelyn has resided at Oakland Park Nursing Home since June of 2007.

Evelyn taught Sunday School for several years at Bethlehem. She enjoyed needle work and could even sew up a screen for a door or window. Baking and cooking for her family brought her much joy. During the holidays she made sure her family enjoyed her Norwegian heritage foods including krumkaka, lutefisk, potato sausage, and lefse.

Survived by one son, Russell, Newfolden, MN; 4 grandchildren, Jeffrey Larson of Minneapolis, MN, Joy Dartley of Phoenix, AZ, Brent Elseth of Ada, MN and Marthanna (Cordell) Klamar of Roseau, MN; 5 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond in 1985; daughter, Bonnie; son, Dale; parents, brothers, Bert, George, Elmer, Oscar, Harold and Bert in infancy, sisters, Minnie Fuhs, Hilda Bach, Bernice Hoberg, and Adella Lindquist.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.com