Everett H. Everson

Everett H. Everson Passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 in Green Valley, AZ Born October 8, 1923 in Whitehall, Wisconsin to Tillie (Erickson) and Henry Everson, the third of four children. He served as a Sergeant in the U. S. Army Air Force during World War II. After returning home he married June (Simonsen) Ellis. Everett received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin and his PhD from the University of California -Davis. The family spent two years at the University of Arizona before moving to Pullman, Washington and finally settled in East Lansing, MI in 1956 where he took a position as Associate Professor at Michigan State University. Everett became head of the wheat breeding program at MSU and his research there contributed to the increase of wheat productivity and disease and insect resistance around the world. He developed eight wheat varieties in his years at MSU and traveled the world promoting new agronomic practices working with numerous international organizations. Most important to him, though was the teaching and mentoring of his students from countries all across the globe and these relationships continued until his death. After the death of his wife June in 1968 he married Jane Ericson, a woman who shared his sense of fun and interest in the world. Together they continued to travel and be involved with their community, church, family and friends. Everett's exceptional love of life, strong sense of duty to his fellow man, and great sense of humor will be greatly missed by his family and many friends around the world. Everett is survived by daughter Tay Everson of East Lansing, grandsons Scott and Russ (Constance) Ellis; great-grandson Bradon Ellis, great granddaughter Remie Ellis, sister Alice (Kenneth) Edstrom; and numerous nieces, grandnieces nephews, grandnephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife June (Peterson), wife Jane (Ericson), Son Peter Ellis, brother Harold Everson, and sister Sally Stillwell. A memorial service will be held 2:30 p.m., Sunday, November 7, 2010 at University Lutheran Church, 1020 S. Harrison Rd East Lansing, MI. A reception will follow at the University Club of Michigan State University, 3435 Forest Road, Lansing, MI. The family would be honored by gifts in Ev's memory to the Everett Everson Endowment at Michigan State University. "The making of friends, who are real friends, is the best token we have of a man's success in life." - Edward Everett Hale