Ann Marie Evjen was born on June 25, 1937, to Alfred and Dagney (Pederson) Evjen in Langhei Township, Pope County. She was baptized and confirmed at East Zion Lutheran Church. Ann graduated from Starbuck High School in 1955 and then attended Humboldt Business School in Minneapolis.On September 8, 1956, she was united in marriage to George Velde, Jr. Ann and George lived in the Twin City area for twenty years and moved to Conrad, Iowa in 1979, where they owned and operated Wolf Creek Rubber Company. Following George's death in 2000, Ann returned to Minnesota. She lived in Benson from 2002 until the time of her death.Ann was an active member of East Zion Lutheran Church. She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and board games, and she loved to read; foremost, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Ann died on Saturday morning, January 21st,at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria. She was 74 years old.She is survived by three children: Steven (Jane) Velde of Burnsville, Brenda (Sam) Jensen of Benson, and Karin (Jeff) Derry of Johnston, IA; ten grandchildren: Nicaela (Mike) Koser, Michael Alovera, Adam Jensen (fiancé Hallie Hoganson), Emily (Brock) Citterman, Mallory Jensen, Mackenzie Jensen, Zachary Jensen, David Derry, Joseph Derry, and Karleen Derry; three great-grandchildren: Logun Koser, Blake Citterman, and Caleb Matiash; her sister, Audrey Nelson, of Starbuck; sister-in-law, Grace Rosten, of Starbuck; and several other relatives.She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; her sister, Dorothy Wold; and four brothers: Alfred Duane, Ben Peter, Oliver Lynn, and Michael Evjen.
