Joseph Evenstad

Joseph (Joe) Evenstad, 69, of Tyler, TX, and formerly of Northwood, ND, passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at the Watkins-Logan TX State Veterans Home in Tyler, TX. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northwood. A visitation will be held Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Northwood Public School – Athletic Department, 420 Trojan Road, Northwood, ND 58267.

Joe was born April 10, 1954, at the Sharon Hospital to Roy and Rozella Evenstad, the 5^th out of 10 children. He was the only one of the 10 children born in Sharon. Joe was an outstanding athlete. He excelled in football, basketball and track. What he lacked in height (only 5’10”), he made up for in speed and agility. He symbolized a work ethic and resilience that were second to none. He graduated from Northwood High School in 1972.

He spent summers through high school working for farmers. When at home, he could be found at the school basketball courts. He was often told by people living close to the school to go home after midnight.

Joe followed his older brother to NDSU and was a member of the ROTC program. His Army career began in 1976 and he entered the Medical Service Corps. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army due to melanoma. He survived the cancer, but he lost an arm, though you would never know it. There was very little he couldn’t do.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah Evenstad, Tyler, TX; step-children: John Allen, Jacksonville, FL; Scott Fox, Fairfield, TX; Kendra Shahan, Bullard, TX; step-grandchildren: Wynona, Nate, Cassidy, Emma, Christian, and one step-great grandson, Cameron; siblings: Ed (Debbie), Northwood, ND; Greg (Joan), Glenwood, MD; Rosanne (Ulic), Britton, SD; Jane (Tom), Northwood, ND; Robert (Vicky), Eagle River, AK; Norman (Gwen), Sandy, UT; Vina (Lee), North Bend, WA; Godchildren: Breanna, Tony, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Roy and Rozella Evenstad; brother, Carrol; sister, Theresa; stepdaughter, Brenda Axline;