Evan Joseph Granrud

Evan Joseph Granrud passed away on April 4, 2014 at age 85 due to natural causes. A celebration of Evan's life will be held on April 8, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Bell Tower Funeral Home in Post Falls, Idaho with Pastor David Ophus officiating. A service at Opheim Lutheran Church and interment at Opheim Cemetery will be scheduled for a later date. Memories and condolences for the family may be posted at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com. Cards can be mailed to the family at 200 W Choctaw Ave, Post Falls, ID 83854. Evan was born in Portal, North Dakota, on December 25, 1928, to Elmer and Clara (Lee) Granrud. He was the oldest of six children and attended school in Portal. Evan married Muriel Nygaard on September 25, 1946, and they had two daughters, Julie and Sandra. Evan worked as a Soo Line locomotive attendant in Portal until 1951 when he moved his family to Glentana, Montana to operate a grain elevator. Later he and Myrt managed Evan's Bar and Grill and played in a country western band called The Montana Plainsmen. In 1954 Evan took a job as Site Engineer at the Opheim Radar Base and the family moved to a house just south of Opheim. When the Radar Site closed in 1979, Evan retired from his civil service job and helped Myrt and Arlene Larson launch The Lefse Shack. Using Myrt's family recipe for the Scandinavian treat, along with Evan's inventions for rolling and cooling the product, and a crew of local ladies, the Granruds ran the successful business for 18 years until they sold it to the Northern Electric Co-op in 1996. They moved into Opheim to finally enjoy some leisure time. In 2006 they moved to Nemont Manor in Glasgow. In 2010 they moved to Guardian Angel Care Center in Post Falls, Idaho, to be closer to their daughters. Evan was ambitious and talented. He worked a main job but always did side jobs on evening and weekends with Myrt as his helper: remodeling kitchens with custom Formica work, painting barn roofs, swathing, raising chickens, managing a bowling alley, or installing satellite dishes. He gave of his time and talents to his community as well: Kiwanis, Community Club, City Council, Lutheran Church Board, Senior Citizens. Evan helped build the Rodeo Grounds and worked the annual Opheim Rodeo for many years. He was part of the crew that built the Lutheran Church Annex and new parsonage. Evan was honored to be selected Lt. Governor of Montana Kiwanis in 1965, Radar Site Engineer of the Year in 1973, Opheim Senior Citizen of the Year and Valley County Senior Citizen in 2001. Evan was always happiest working on a project but in his leisure time he enjoyed carpentry, computers, country music, golfing, gardening, fishing and puttering in his shop. Evan always put family first. He never missed a reunion, school activity, graduation or wedding. He enjoyed talking and laughing with friends and could tell a great story. Evan is survived by his wife, Myrt; daughters Julie (Rich) Davey and Sandra Stellflug; a brother Oliver (Gen) Granrud, sisters Clarice Sterling, Margaret (Ron) Johnson, Hazel Ostrom, and Mary Lee (Wade) Kramer; grandchildren Tracy (Janelle) Davey, Blaine (Nickie) Davey, Aaron (Terra) Davey, Kim Stellflug, Kon (Maria) Stellflug, Kari (Jim) Carbajal, and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Clara Granrud. Memorials are suggested to Opheim Lutheran Church or North Idaho Hospice House 9493 N Govt Way, Hayden, ID 83835.