Gerald Anthony "Evie" Eveslage

1941 - 2023

Gerald "Evie" Anthony Eveslage, wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many, passed away peacefully of mesothelioma, with his loving wife Jane at his side at his home on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

Mass of Christian Burial Monday, December 11, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Community (41 E 1st St.) in Waconia with Father Stan Mader as Celebrant of the Mass. Visitation Sunday, December 10 from 4-7 P.M. at the Johnson Funeral Home (141 E 1st St.) in Waconia and one hour prior to the Mass on Monday, at the church. Interment in the church cemetery.

Jerry was born in Greenwald, MN on August 11, 1941. He grew up on the family dairy farm in rural Stearns County and graduated from Melrose High School in 1959. It was there that he met Jane (Lembeck) and immediately knew there was a special bond that would last for more than 60 wonderful years. They married in 1963 and from there decided to take their Stearns County work ethic and give it a try in the "City." Jerry enlisted in the National Guard, where he proudly served for 6 years. He and Jane started working jobs in Minneapolis. Eventually, he had an opportunity to start an agency for American Family Insurance in the small town of Waconia and in 1969 they found their home. It was there that they put down roots and would spend their next 50 plus years. They raised four children and were blessed with seven wonderful grandchildren of which he could not have been more proud.

After moving to Waconia, Jerry became a community fixture with involvement in many organizations that included the Chamber of Commerce, The Lions Club, The Legion, The Knights of Columbus and many local booster clubs. His Catholic faith was a focal point in his life and St. Joseph Church and School were places that he loved and supported throughout his entire life.

Jerry loved being involved with his family and spent many of his younger years coaching and attending all of his children's activities. In his later years, he cherished the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren. He loved attending all their events ranging from preschool programs to high school state tournaments. When he wasn't running to these events, Jerry could be found keeping busy teaching them how to fish, golf, or even bake his famous homemade bread from his mother's recipe.

Jerry always had a gift for getting people to like and trust him. This was a quality that made him an exceptional agent and earned him many awards through the years. One of the awards that he was most proud of was being inducted into the American Family Agent Hall of Fame. These same qualities made him an even better friend. Everyone that knew Jerry grew to love and enjoy his company. Jerry had a dry and self-depreciating sense of humor. His circle of friends was large and those that spent time with him will miss him dearly.

Along with their church community, Jerry and Jane grew to love their golf course community and the friends that they met there. Upon retirement, on most days in the summer, Jerry was a fixture on the tee box. If you did not know him personally, you knew him as the "left-handed, cross handed" golfer. Jerry was fortunate enough to be part of the "hole-in-one" club not only once, but twice, and is one of the few that aced the same hole playing both left-handed and right-handed. He was also a devoted member of the prestigious 'Fun Bunch' group.

Along with golf, fishing, playing cards, and visiting with friends and family were his favorite pass times. He loved his life on Lake Waconia and his fishing buddies that would pick him up on the dock in the summer or in the fish house in the winter. They rarely missed a day.

Jerry was preceded in death by parents Leo and Armella Eveslage; sisters Doreen Thull and Marilyn Welle.

Jerry will be greatly missed by: his wife of 60 years Jane; children Jeffrey (Kristine) Eveslage, Karla (Jay) Reinhardt, Jason (Amy) Eveslage, Paul (Sommer) Eveslage; grandchildren Megan, Morgan and Mitchell Eveslage, Andrew and Griffin Reinhardt, Cooper and Quincee Eveslage; brothers Jim (Judy) Eveslage, Dan (Rita) Eveslage, Mark (Jan) Eveslage; sister Cathy Rose; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Tom (Mille) Lembeck, Jerry (Kay) Lembeck, Cathy Lembeck, Carol Wegman, Julie (Vern) Loehr; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Joseph Church in Waconia or St. Joseph School in Waconia.

Casket Bearers are Jerry's grandchildren.

Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, 952-442-2121, www.johnsonfh.com.