Pastor Glen C. Eveland

BACKUS -- Pastor Glen Clinton Eveland of Backus, Minn., was born Jan. 27, 1933, on the family farm southwest of Backus. He was the 11th of 14 children born to Ray and Flora Eveland. He passed away on July 12, 2004, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, Minn.

Glen attended Backus Public Schools, earning numerous athletic letters and setting many sports records. After graduating, Glen enrolled at Augsburg College in Minneapolis majoring in history from 1951-1953 and 1955-1956, lettering in football and basketball. During the intervening two years, he served in the Korean War with the U.S. Army.

In October of 1959, Glen accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. This event charted the course for the remainder of his life, which he spent in full-time service of others and his Lord. He attended Central Baptist Seminary in Minneapolis, where he earned a master's of divinity degree in 1967. In his 38 years in the ministry he pastored churches in Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota. On May 12, 1961, Glen and Sandra Sue Larson of Westbrook, Minn., were joined in marriage.

Sandy and four children survive Glen; as well as daughters, Susan and Scott Stephens of Bloomington, Ind., and Heidi and Doug Anderson of Roeland Park, Kan.; sons, David and Betsy Eveland of Winter Park, Fla., Erik and Angela Eveland of Omaha, Neb.; six grandchildren, Tyler, Kate and Luke Stephens, Meghan Anderson, and Caleb and Larson Eveland. He is mourned by five brothers, Bert, Earl, Duane, Don of Backus, and Larry of Brazil, and three sisters, Betty of France, Carol and Mona of Backus, along with a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Helen and Gladys; and brothers, John, Gerald and Dwight.

There will be a visitation from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, at Lakeside Baptist Church, 125 Church Lane, Backus, Minn. 56435. The funeral also will be at Lakeside Baptist on Friday, July 16, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial to Lakeside Baptist. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, Minn.