Evelyn (Hager) Hill

Evelyn Hager Hill, 91 of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Altru Hospital. Evelyn Hager Hill was born on February 25, 1917, in Norway, during a visit there to see the families of her parents. She was born in the same home in which her mother had been born, and she was the only one of seven children to be born in Norway. Her parents were Martin and Nekoline (Tofsrud) Hager. She attended school in Flaxton, North Dakota, before moving to Grand Forks where she attended Central High School. She was graduated in 1939 from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Teaching. She taught business education for six years in southern Minnesota in Kerkhoven, Sleepy Eye, Morris and Thief River Falls. Evelyn married Eugene Allen Hill on October 1, 1945, at the United Lutheran Church after Eugene's return from serving in the U.S. Army Company D of the 164th Infantry Division in the South Pacific in WWII. Evelyn later returned to teaching at Central High School and at Schroeder Junior High School. She taught for 30 years and retired at age 71. She especially enjoyed working with UND student teachers in addition to teaching and was recognized by UND for her service. Evelyn had been a member of the United Lutheran Church since it was built in 1931. She taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. She especially enjoyed her ULC Circle and the Rebekahs. Evelyn was interested in people and belonged to many organizations including AAUW, DAV Auxiliary (life member), Grand Forks Retired Teachers Association, NDEA, Altru Alliance, was Worthy Matron of Acacia Chapter No. 12 of the Order of the Eastern Star in 1967 on the board of Rainbow for Girls and received the Grand Cross of Color, past President of Past Matrons of O.E. S, Kiwanis Women, Grand Forks Senior Citizens Association and the Sons of Norway. Evelyn was a remarkable individual with incredible energy and enthusiasm. She faithfully cared for her husband, Gene, as his health failed in his later years. She had a great spirit and enjoyed participating in the community that she loved and had lived in for so many years. She thankfully never had to give up driving her beloved red car and remained active until her final day. Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Linda (Randy) Pladson, Lakeville, Minnesota; son, Clark Eugene (Celeste) Hill, Grand Forks, North Dakota; three grandchildren, Corey J. Pladson, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Craig A (Kristin) Pladson, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and Nathan M. Hill, Grand Forks; brother, Dr. Jerome P. Hager, Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene A. Hill; her parents; her sister, Norma Cruse Handley; brothers, Oswald Hager, Alf Hager, Judge Harold Hager and Conrad Hager.