Evan Lips

Evan E. Lips, 86, Bismarck, passed from his earthly life on January 9, 2005. He was a faithful and active member of First Lutheran Church of Bismarck for 56 years, serving several times as council member, but due to space limitations, his life will be celebrated at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck on Friday, January 14, 2005, at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be Thursday from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM at Boelter-Eastgate Funeral Service, 200 West Turnpike Avenue, Bismarck, with family being present from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM to visit with friends. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Evan Edwin Lips was born at the Bismarck Hospital on October 17, 1918, to William E. "Pete" Lips and Margaret Griffiths Lips of Baldwin. They later moved to a farm closer to Bismarck so Evan and his two sisters could attend Bismarck schools. Graduating from Bismarck High in 1936, Evan went on to excel in football and academics at UND. His football achievements were notable as he was a three-time all-conference, All-American, is in UND's Athletic Hall of Fame, was a recipient of the prestigious Sioux Award, and was selected by alumni vote as a member of the All-Century Team. After graduating from UND in education, Evan enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 1941. He attended officers' school, entering combat duty as a 2nd lieutenant and becoming a lieutenant colonel prior to the end of the war. He served in several Pacific conflicts such as Iwo Jima, Guam, Guadalcanal and Bouganville, and was involved in strategic planning. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Presidential Unit Citation, and he currently holds the rank of colonel in the USMC Retired Reserves. After returning home in 1945, he spent six months teaching officers' school in Quantico, Virginia, returned again to Bismarck where he began work at Murphy Insurance in April of 1946 and married Elsa Kavonius on August 3, 1946. They had three children who presently live in Bismarck. Evan became involved in coaching football at Bismarck Junior College and then at St. Mary's High until they won their first state title in 1951, played semi-pro basketball on the Phantoms, and in 1950, launched a political career as a Republican committeeman. He was elected to his first of three four-year terms as mayor of Bismarck in 1954 and to the state senate in 1960. His senate tenure officially ended in 1998 as he had not sought re-election. He had held several important positions in the senate such as majority leader, president pro-tempore, and the chairman of the appropriations committee. In 1977, Evan was chosen as one of the top ten legislators in the United States, and in 1984, the Greater North Dakota Association selected him as their "Man of the Year". Evan was a true champion for Bismarck, the state of North Dakota, the University of North Dakota, and indeed, all education programs and educators in the state. His legislative proposals were very much pro-education, as he always felt he owed so much to his own education. Teachers and state employees thank him for his legislative initiatives on their pension and insurance programs. Murphy Insurance, which became his business in early 1952, a young growing family and a political career kept him very busy. He was known to be able to accomplish much in a short period of time. He served on numerous boards of directors, some up to the time of his death, and he was always a key figure in local and state fundraising for many building and development programs. Evan very selflessly gave of his time and was involved with Rotary, Shriners, the American Legion, Elks, Eagles, and VFW, also working for fifty years for the United Way and its fore-runner, the Community Chest, and also Open Your Heart. Honors and awards he was given during his lifetime were too numerous to mention. Medcenter One Foundation offices bear his name for his longtime service as the foundation chairman. UND's School of Medicine has a new state-of-the-art auditorium named for him in honor of initiatives and legislation over the years to establish and enlarge the medical school. One of Evan's proudest accomplishments was the plan for the Bismarck Civic Center and its location, which was completed after he left office as mayor. He had foresight to envision Bismarck as a growing city which could attract business with such a facility. As busy as Evan was, he remarkably made it most important to spend time with his family. Elsa, Evan's wife of 46 years, died in August of 1992, and he married Marilyn O'Leary Duffey on June 30, 2001. Both avid golfers, golf brought them together several years after Elsa's death. His name also appears on the golf shop of the Tom O'Leary Golf Course, named for Marilyn's father who ran it as a pro for 44 years. Evan is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his sons, Evan W. and Erik; his daughter, Deborah Hill and her husband, James, all of Bismarck; his grandson, Patrick Lips of Minot; his granddaughters, Carissa Hill and Stephanie Lips Rick Blevins of Bismarck; his step-children, Lisa Allen Thompson of Mandan, John Duffey of Columbia, South America, Susan Kent Lang of Arvada, Colorado, Mike Duffey of San Diego, California, and Ben Elizabeth Duffey of New York City, New York; his step- grandchildren, Ryan, Brittany, Patrick, Benjamin, Michael, Connor, and Kevin; his brothers-in-law, E.J. Kavonius of Woodbury, Minnesota, and Richard Veal of Bismarck; his sister-in-law, Helen Kavonius of Bismarck; close family friend, Sylvia Golke of Bismarck; and many nieces and nephews. Evan's family would prefer memorials to be specified for First Lutheran Church, Fairview Cemetery Association, Medcenter One Foundation, Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, or Bismarck-Mandan Orchestral Association. They also wish to thank his many caregivers at Medcenter One and Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. He was in caring hands and will continue to be.

Evan Lips

October 17, 1918 - January 9, 2005