Connie Evanger

Connie Ellen (Hanna) Evanger, 81 of Walcott, ND died Friday, January 24, 2025 surrounded by her loving family in Fargo, ND.
Connie was born on November 17, 1943 in Britton, South Dakota, the daughter of Lester and Ruby (Moore) Hanna. She was raised on a farm outside of Lisbon, ND. She was educated and graduated from Lisbon High School. During her younger years her mother (Ruby) taught her to sew, which led her to make most of her own clothes growing up. Connie was united in marriage to Jesse Evanger on August 4, 1963 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisbon. They started their family of three boys, Daniel (July 1, 1964), John (September 11, 1966), and Mark (April 21, 1968) and made their home in Fargo until 1979. They then moved their family to Walcott, ND to own and operate the Happy Valley Bar and Cafe. In 1992, Connie and Jesse hit the road selling items from their screen-pressing business. They traveled the upper Midwest going to craft shows and State Fairs until 1996 when they fully retired.
Connie enjoyed spending time with her three boys and six grandchildren. Her largest passion in life was family, family, family! Connie and Jesse made an annual trip to Colorado, where they set up camp and spent an entire month with their children and grandchildren hunting elk and most of all spending time with family (and friends). Connie was "mom" to more than just her three boys. She notoriously welcomed other boys to the "family". Most notably, Kevin Hamm, Danny Driscoll, Tate Donovan, and Lyle Cockrell, who all called her "mom" and spent a lot of time staying with the Evanger family.
Connie had a knack for being "thrifty" and while her family was very proud of how she could make money go further, it was also a special point of ribbing that her family would give her. One of Connie's passions was "garage/rummage sale" shopping. If she could find a great bargain, she was never one to pass it up.
About a year after the death of Jesse in 2019, Connie and life-long friend, Harold Jorgenson were able to spend 5 years traveling and sight-seeing throughout the United States and Mexico. Best of all they spent the ND cold months down in Arizona. They had a great time and were always on-the-move. Connie is the very definition of a "Social Butterfly".
Connie is survived by her sons, Dan (Tamie) Evanger of Walcott, ND; John (Christie) Evanger of Walla Walla, WA; Mark (Shawna) Evanger of Peyton, CO; six grandchildren, Samantha Olson, Tara (Justin) Evanger-Dalke, Tanner (Katie) Olson, Greg (Mellia) Rolle, Jace (Emily) Evanger, Darien Rolle; ten great-grandchildren, Jaden, Libbie, Skyaler, Letty, Joel, Abigail, Ellis, Paysen, Sophia, and Eleanor; two brothers, Willis (Gail) Hanna of Harrisburg, SD; Grant (Linda) of Fargo, ND; several nieces and nephews.
Connie was preceded in death by her husband (Jesse), parents (Lester and Ruby Hanna), and brother/sister-in-law (Jerry and Marva Hanna).
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. followed by her funeral at 11:00 a.m. at Bergen Lutheran Church, Lidgerwood, ND. Connie's funeral will be live streamed below. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery near Lisbon.
If we run into technical difficulties with the livestream, we will record the funeral service to watch at a later time.