Evelyn Marie Dalen 85, of Becker, formerly of Verndale, died June 18, 2009, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral services were held June 23, at St Fredericks Church, Verndale, with burial following at the St. Fredericks Cemetery in Verndale.

Arrangements were with the Johnson Memorial Home in Wadena.

Evelyn was born April 10, 1924 to George and Anna Boylan, in Wadena. During WWII, she married Sherman Dalen, and worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell while he was away serving in the U.S. Army. Following the war, they made their home on a dairy farm south of Verndale, where they raised their seven children. In 2007, she moved to Becker and was part of the Shepherd of Grace Senior Community while there.

Evelyn was active in her church and community participating in Christian Mothers, the Oak Grove Hustlers Homemakers Club and coordinator for the Wadena County Dairy Association's annual dairy princess contest for many years. She was also involved with the Wadena County Republican party, in the Farm Bureau and Land O'Lakes organizations.

Evelyn is survived by six daughters, Sandra (David) Gould, Verndale; Jeanne (Gary) Rohr, Staples; Susanne Grim, Lakeville; Michelle (Dan) Crocker, Monticello; LeAnn (Ed) White, Rosemount; Denice (Dennis) Freih, Becker; one son, Tom (Shari) Dalen, Verndale; 26 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; one brother, Warren; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years; two grandchildren, Bridgett Stoll and Jason Rohr; one great-grandchild, Jessica Hall; and one brother Howard.

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