Evelyn E. Lieske

Evelyn (Bode) Lieske Evelyn E. Lieske, age 86 of Henderson died on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the Rivers Edge Hospital in St. Peter, MN. Funeral services will be on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Arlington Township, Sibley County, MN. Visitation will be at the Church on Sunday from 3-7 p.m. and continue on Monday morning from 10-11 a.m. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Rev. Gary Ruckman will officiate the services. Evelyn was born on May 6, 1930 to Herbert and Alma (Hulke) Bode in Courtland, MN. She was Baptized on May 10, 1930 and Confirmed April 2, 1941 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Courtland. She attended Immanuel Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Nicollet High School. Evelyn was united in marriage to Karl Lieske on March 26, 1951 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Courtland, MN. The couple lived and farmed west of Henderson, MN. In 1994 Karl and Evelyn moved to Pelican Lake north of Nisswa, MN for the next 20+ year phase of their journey together where they lived until January of 2017, when they moved back to Henderson. Evelyn is survived by her husband of 65 years: Karl; sons: Ron (Jayne) Lieske of Henderson, MN, James Lieske of Eden Prairie, MN and Glenn (Lori) Lieske of Northfield, MN. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kyle, Chad, Luke and Hootie Lieske; and Angela (Jake) Freedman, Nicole, Emily and Alana Lieske; great-grandson: Leo Freedman; siblings: Elnor Bollum of Goodhue, MN and Bert (Bev) Bode of Courtland, MN; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and countless friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Herb and Alma; sister Elvira Muesing; and other relatives and friends. Evelyn was raised on a farm near Courtland, MN and learned a tremendous work ethic she retained her entire life. Anyone who knew her recognized her as the hardest worker they knew. Evelyn cherished and was very proud of her farm heritage and never stopped being a "farm girl" at heart. She could and would tackle any project, and was able to pull it off with grace and ease. She loved being and doing anything outside, especially tending to her many gardens. Evelyn had a way of making something out of nothing and making it look perfect. To say that she was a perfectionist would be a serious understatement. There was always a way to do things, then there was the "right" way to do things, and finally there was "Evelyn's way" of doing things. Evelyn cherished her Bode/Hulke German heritage and loved telling people that she was from Courtland/Nicollet/New Ulm - "where the real Germans live!" She embraced everything about being German, even polka music and sauerkraut. Evelyn especially adored her German Lutheran heritage, which was the foundation for the strong Christian faith that guided her entire life. Evelyn treasured Jesus and in her own quiet way was the strongest Christian witness that any of us knew. She prayed unceasingly for everyone and anyone who would let her, and countless others who wouldn't. One of her favorite and often quoted phrases was - "To God all praise and glory" - and she sincerely meant it. She completely trusted Jesus in any circumstance. Evelyn was a tremendous life's partner and best friend to Karl, and a great mom to her three boys. She loved Karl and those boys, and was an endless encourager to all four of them. She was an excellent cook, but even more so had the gift of hospitality. Anyone who knew Evelyn was eventually blessed by receiving her special homemade caramels, and everyone who received them couldn't wait to get at those individually wrapped little treasures. She truly honored God and reflected the love of Jesus to countless people by graciously hosting them and making them feel special. She had numerous friends and loved each of them uniquely, serving and helping them whenever the opportunity presented itself. Evelyn had the uncommon ability to make anyone she was with feel just a little more special than everyone else. No one ever did figure out how she found time and when did all the things she did - it was like magic. Somehow, among all of these things, she had a special reservoir of energy, time, and love for her eight grandchildren. Her love for them was unconditional. She earned the nickname Ammy from Kyle and it stuck for the rest of her life. There are many people who know her only as Ammy, and she loved that title. Ammy adored each of her eight grandchildren in an extraordinary way, but she was also truly "Ammy" and a second grandma to countless others who will miss her greatly. In everything Ammy did, she reflected and modeled the love of Jesus. We all smile and take comfort in knowing that she is dancing with Him now. The family thanks everyone for your loving support and encouragement and for the hugs too. This is a sad and hard time, but it is also a time to celebrate and be joyful. Evelyn is home! In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the "Evelyn Lieske Memorial" and mailed to PO Box 81, LeSueur, Minnesota 56058

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