Verle Evans

| February 10, 2012 5:00 AM

Verle Evans, 86, longtime Moses Lake resident died in his home Thursday, February 12, 2012 surrounded by his family after a courageous and valiant battle with cancer. He was born September 9, 1925 in San Francisco, CA to Fred Evans and Lora Marie Spinney Evans.

He was raised by his maternal grandmother and attended school in California. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for 3 years. On June 23, 1948 he married Lorraine Bogardus who had 3 children. At that time Verle decided to rejoin the Navy and was told he could serve on any ship he wished, but this would mean being separated from his new family so he decided to join the Army instead, so he could be stationed somewhere where his family could remain with him. He faithfully and honorably served in the U.S. Army and was stationed, with his family, in Germany, Japan and several bases in the U.S. until his retirement from the U.S. Army on October 1, 1965 at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Shortly after he began work as an Insurance Underwriter for a time, and then his civilian career in law enforcement began. He later became a Driver License Examiner for the State of Washington, and then he worked a short time for the Support Enforcement Division. He later owned his own security business and after this business closed, he and his family moved to Moses Lake and he began working for the Grant County Auditor's office as a deputy auditor. His wife Lorraine died August 15, 1985 in Moses Lake. Shortly after meeting Thelda Dodgen and a whirlwind courtship, they were married January 18, 1986. Thelda also had three children at home when they were married, 11-year-old Jason, 14-year-old Julie and 17-year-old Darla; along with Thelda's six older children and their families Brenda, Nolan, Allen, Cheryl, Dianne and Joanne. Verle, Thelda and their children were very active with their family's activities and church. They managed the Lybbert Mobile Home Park for many years, until they moved to their homey cottage next to daughter and son-in-law Dianne and Jim Turner. Verle and Thelda served two missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippine Tacloban Mission from 1993-1996, and a third mission to the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, UT from 1999-2001. These missions were extremely special times for Verle and Thelda and many stories were told about the experiences they had. They continued to serve after these missions, they served in the Columbia River Temple from 2001-2010 until Verle's health began to decline. Verle was extremely proud of his military service, and was a true patriot. He shared many, many stories teaching his family and friends about how special our country is, and how blessed we are to have the absolute freedoms and rights we enjoy, in a big part due to the many, many sacrifices of our active duty servicemen and women and especially our beloved veterans. He proudly flew our country's flag each day outside his home. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veteran's of Foreign Wars, which he proudly supported.

Verle is survived by his dear wife Thelda Evans of Moses Lake, stepchildren Joanne (Loren) Jensen of Dayton, WA, Dianne (Jim) Turner of Moses Lake, WA, Cheryl (Rex) Robbins of Othello, WA, Allen (Michelle) Dodgen of Moses Lake, WA, Nolan (Toni) Dodgen of Auburn, WA, Brenda (Art) Martinez of Moses Lake, WA, Darla (Collin) Hyer of Quincy, WA, Julie (Tony) Wade of Driggs, ID and Jason (Alana) Dodgen of Omak, WA; grandchildren Cindy Karlsen of Spokane, WA, Jennifer (Brett) Johnson of Sagle, ID, Rob (Kim) Evans and Tanya Evans of Puyallup, WA, Jay Evans and Donnie Evans of Wenatchee, WA, Jamy Evans of Arizona, and 37 step-grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren and many, many friends.

Verle was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Lorraine and children Joseph Earl Evans, Rebecca Sue Evans and John Fred Evans.

Verle's family will greet friends during a viewing from 10 - 11:15 a.m., Friday, February 10, 2012 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nelson Road Chapel, 1849 E. Nelson Rd., Moses Lake. Funeral Services will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Bishop Dennis Stoker of the Moses Lake 8th Ward officiating. Burial with full military honors will immediately follow in Pioneer Memorial Gardens, Moses Lake.

Friends and family are invited to share memories and sign the family's on-line guest book at www.carverfamilyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are in care of Carver Family Funeral Home, Moses Lake.