Evelyn Neuens

Evelyn Connell Neuens, 96, Bismarck, died Monday, August 11, 2008, at her home at the Waterford. Services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Rev. Steve Sathre officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm Tuesday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck and will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Evelyn was born July 16, 1912, in Medora, ND, the daughter of Dan and Olive Syverson Connell. She was raised on her family’s ranch and attended area schools and also continued her education at Dickinson State, receiving her teachers certificate. Evelyn married Walt Neuens on October 24, 1931, at Wibaux, MT. They ranched on the Neuens family homestead until 1947. They moved to Bismarck and Evelyn and Walt became very active in their community. They began operating the western store in Mandan in 1956 and in 1961 they opened Neuens Western Shop. They also ran the Ranchorama and the Ferris Store in Medora. Evelyn was a member of the De Mores Riders, Badlands Trail Riders, Bismarck Horse Club, Bismarck Mounted Police, ND Rodeo Association, ND Stockmen’s Association, ND Cutting Horse Association and along with the Schnell Family began the Home on the Range for Boys Champions Ride Rodeo. She was very active with the Dakota Zoo, flipping burgers at the member picnic into her 90s. She was a member of Zonta Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution and involved with the Miss Rodeo North Dakota Pageants. She was a member of the Downtowners Association and she and Walt were selected as the Baron and Baroness von Folkfest for the Bismarck Folkfest celebration in 1986. She was especially proud of being founding President of the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora. Evelyn was as spirited as the many horses she rode over the years. She had a boundless energy in pursuing her many activities to benefit the cowboy way of life and her community; in addition to running their family business. Evelyn grew up on a horse and shared the joys of riding; teaching her grandkids the art of horsemanship. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Anne of Castlerock, CO, Don and Mary Ann of Baldwin, ND, Ken and Christi of Longmont, CO and Gene and Carol of OK; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be given to the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame or to the Dakota Zoo.

Evelyn Neuens

July 16, 1912 - August 11, 2008