Evan Vasey

Evan Vasey, age 90 of Sebeka, Minnesota died at his home on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, surrounded by his family. Evan was born August 27, 1920, to William and Mary Vasey of Dickson City, Pennsylvania, where he was raised and completed school. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1942 and served his country during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific area from January, 1944, to October, 1945. As a tank crewman in the Fourth Marine Division, he participated in action at Kwajalein Atoll; Saipan, where he was wounded in action on June 15, 1944; and in Iwo Jima. Awarded a Purple Heart for his service, Evan was a corporal at the time of his honorable discharge from military service in November, 1945. He attended college on the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1949 with a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. There he met his future wife, Esther Sellner of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and the two were married September 25, 1953. During his lifetime, Evan worked as a painter, a chiropractor, at Johnsons & Johnsons and Alcoa, and, eventually, as a farmer. Throughout his life, Evan was deeply interested in nature and living off the land. In 1974, he realized this life-long dream when he moved his family from Starrucca, Pennsylvania, to this area. He planted a huge garden every spring and could be found tending it most days during the gardening season. He also enjoyed hiking, swimming, berry picking, skiing, dancing, reading, and listening to music. Evan is survived by Esther, his wife of 57 years; children, Autumn (Clint) Linn of Long View, Washington; Junelle (Mark) Gustafson of Alexandria; Raina (Tom) Riedesel of White Bear Lake; Karla Vasey of White Bear Lake; Evanne Vasey of Sebeka; Blaise (Lisa) Vasey of rural Sebeka; Barth (Patty) Vasey of Sauk Centre; Shereen (Dan) Gilyard of Coon Rapids; Rona (John) Schleder of Monticello; Leatha (Mike) Lannes of Big Lake; 27 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Vasey of Berea, Kentucky, and Richard Vasey of Thompson, Pennsylvania, and one sister, Mae Netta of Henderson, Nevada. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Steve, Fred, and Joe, and his sisters Lillian, Laura, Adeline, and Arona. A private memorial service was held by his family.