Jerry D. Evelsizer

Jerry Evelsizer ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service - Fairmont on Mar. 12, 2026.Fairmont, MNFuneral Services for Jerry D. Evelsizer, 93, of Fairmont, MN will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont. Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Brethren Cemetery in Panora, IA. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Bethel Evangelical Free Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Those wishing to view the service may do so at https://www.bethel-fairmont.org. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with the arrangements.Jerry Dean Evelsizer was born in Jefferson, Iowa on May 7, 1932, to William and Mabel (Teagarden) Evelsizer. Five years later, he would be joined by his only sibling sister Marilyn "Jo." At age 11, Jerry was baptized at Central Christian Church in Jefferson, Iowa after he accepted Jesus as his Savior.Jerry graduated from Jefferson, Iowa High School in 1950 and later that year met Mary Ann Rice. It didn't take long for love to blossom, and they were married a few months later on March 4, 1951, at Central Christian Church in Jefferson. This marriage was blessed with three living children Dennis, Robert, and Diana. A son, Steven, died at birth. During this time, Jerry worked as a clerk in a shoe store in Jefferson, Iowa.In 1959, after feeling called to ministry, Jerry began 4 years of undergraduate studies at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Upon graduation, he enrolled in seminary at Drake and graduated four years later with his Master of Divinity, all while working full time as a youth pastor in Boone, Iowa and then pastoring a congregation in Coon Rapids, Iowa.Jerry and Mary served five churches in Iowa before retiring in 1995. After retiring, Jerry and Mary made their home in Ogden, Iowa for 17 years. During this time, he served as an interim pastor in a number of churches. Jerry and Mary moved to Fairmont, Minnesota in 2012 due to Mary's declining health.In 2014, Jerry became Pastor of Visitation for Bethel Evangelical Free Church where he also led an Adult Sunday School class, small group, the Wednesday noon prayer group, and preached on occasion.While in Fairmont, Jerry also served on the Board of Directors at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center.After his Lord Jesus Christ and wife Mary, Jerry's greatest love has been his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Jerry loved to hunt and fish and just savoring the outdoors and passed on this love to family. Some of the greatest family memories have been made at Sunset Bay Resort on Baby Lake near Hackensack, Minnesota where, as many family members as can make it, have vacationed every summer for the past 56 years.Jerry passed away March 12, 2026, at Lakeview Methodist Healthcare Center at the age of 93 years. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Mary, and son Steven.Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Dennis (Cathy) Evelsizer of Decorah, Iowa and Dr. Robert (Gwen) Evelsizer of Fairmont, Minnesota, a daughter Diana (Donald) Morgan of Iowa City Iowa; 10 grandchildren: Dan Evelsizer, Vince (Andrea) Evelsizer, Jana (John) Evelsizer-Olson, Ross (Laura) Evelsizer, Dr. Stephen (Annie) Evelsizer, Sara (Steve) Gibbs, Dr. Andrew (Madeline) Evelsizer, Aimee (Andy) Comer, Gina (Dan) Bartleson, and Lisa (Oscar) Hernandez; and 21 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Jo Juhl Johnson, sister-in-law, Joyce (Edward) Hassing, sister-in-law, Lola Booth, nephews and nieces, and exchange student Leonardo DiNello from Milan, Italy.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.