Dorothy Mabel Evensen

Dorothy Mabel Evensen, age 95, of Ripon, WI passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Maplecrest Manor in Ripon.

Dorothy was born on February 19, 1930, in Chicago, IL, daughter of Holger “Olie” and Edna (Laade) Johnson. She graduated high school in Chicago and went on to earn her Bachelor Degree at Chicago Teachers College. In November of 1954, Dorothy was united in marriage to Donald H. Evensen in Chicago where they raised two sons in Arlington Heights, IL. After the kids left home they moved to Wisconsin. They shared 49 years together before Donald’s passing on October 10, 2004.

In her early years, before finding her love for teaching, Dorothy was a natural born performer. At the age of 9, she danced and performed at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1939. Dorothy was a school teacher and taught primary classes for 30 years. In 1981, Dorothy and her husband opened and owned a floral shop and green house in Reedsburg, WI. She loved science and was a part of the Science Club in Ripon. She also volunteered with the Kiwanis Aktion Club and the Ripon Area School District. Dorothy was a previous member at Our Saviour’s UCC and later became a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon.

Dorothy is survived by her two sons, Dean (Barbara) Evensen, of Ripon, WI and David (Marta) Evensen, of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Paul (Rachel) Evensen, Eric (Courtney) Evensen, Hannah (Brady) Lavin, and Zachary Evensen; great-grandchildren, Ian, Sam, and Magnus; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Holger and Edna Johnson; and her husband, Donald Evensen.

Visitation for Dorothy will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971.

Memorial service for Dorothy will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon, with Rev. Clay R. Salmela officiating. Inurnment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, Reedsburg, WI, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Grace Lutheran Church and Shriners Children’s Hospital in Chicago.