Thomas Wayne Evenson age 74 of Hudson passed away June 17, 2012 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota after a short, but toughly fought battle with cancer. Tom was born October 15, 1937 in Hudson, Wisconsin, the son of Palmer and Dorothy (Radke) Evenson.  He attended school in Hudson and graduated from Hudson High School with the Class of 1955.  He attended UW-River Falls for two years. On August 15, 1959 he married JoAnn Johnson.  This union was blessed with three children, Jean, Robert and James. He worked part time at his father’s plumbing business until his father’s death in 1958.   At that time he went to work for First Trust Company in St. Paul for nearly two years.  He rejoined his brother in late 1959 and remained there until opening his own business “Tom’s Plumbing Repair in April 1992.  Except for a one year stint with the National Guard when his unit was activated during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. Tom loved living in Hudson and was extremely active within. He was a proud member of the Hudson Boosters Club, where he served as president for 12 years. He also served on the board of directors for the Hudson Country Club and was its president in 1989 and 1990. He was active with the Hudson United Way, Hudson School District Building and Grounds Committee, Hudson Alano Society Board of Directors, Bethel Lutheran Church Council, St. Croix Masons and Osman Shrine Temple, and American Legion Post #50. Tom was well respected in business, but more often as a genuinely great person. That in mind, the Hudson High School and the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce elected him as their man of the year in 1982. As a family friend stated, “A quiet giant Tom was in making us All ” oh and ahh” every 4th of July…during the Fireworks…he was the one covered head to toe in black soot! ”Let’s remember him for always lighting up the sky and stopping water from leaking!” Tom lit up a room with his presence and our lives were better with him in it.

Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years JoAnn: his daughter, Jean (Tim) Ecker, sons:  Robert and James all of Hudson.  Five grandchildren:  Scott, Katie, Austin, Rachel and Hunter.  Two brothers:  Roger (Patricia) Evenson and David Evenson.  Aunt Edna Atwood , several nieces, nephews and cousins.  Special adopted son and daughter and their family:  Dan and Ann Siats, Ryan, Katie, Jaxson, Nathaniel and Kristina. He was preceded in death by his parents Palmer and Dorothy.

A Celebration of Tom’s life will be 11AM Saturday June 23 at Bethel Lutheran Church; Downtown. Private burial will be in the Willow River Cemetery in Hudson. Visitation will be on Friday from 2PM until 7PM with a Masonic service to follow at 7PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson. Visitation will also be on Saturday morning from 9AM to 11AM prior to the service at Bethel Downtown. Out of respect to Tom, please dress casual in your golf attire as if you were going golfing with Tom. Memorials are preferred.