Clarence "Slim" Gerhart Evensen
November 12, 1917 - October 16, 2008
My Grandpa Slim passed away this evening at his home in LaGrande. He was 90 years young. He would have been 91 next month (born November 12th, 1917). Grandpa's real name was Clarence Evensen, but his friends knew him as "Slim". He was always tall and slender. At one time he stood 6'5", but had gotten a little shorter over the last several years.
My friend Doreen asked me tonight what I remember most about my Grandpa. That's an interesting question. I remember a lot of things about Grandpa, but mostly I remember how funny he was. He could tell a great story. His face was so expressive in his story telling and I just loved that!
When Grandpa was a young man, he had an accident with a saw at work and lost 2 of his fingers on his right hand. One of the fingers, being his index finger. Grandpa used this loss to his advantage and fooled around with all of us grandchildren when we were young. He would stick his index finger stub up to his nostril or in his ear and wiggle it around, making us kids think he could get his entire finger in there. We thought that was Hilarious!!
I know a lot of people my age don't have their grandparents with them anymore, so I am thankful that I had him in my life as long as I did. My boys were able to know Grandpa Slim too and for that I am very grateful. The last time I saw Grandpa was back in August when I went to LaGrande with my Dad for the weekend. We even got Grandpa to play the Wii with us during that visit.
Here are a few photos of Grandpa that bring back fond memories.
Up for trying anything, here's Grandpa driving the dune buggy back in the 80's.
And here, giving my Dad's race car a spin (sometime in the 70's).
I had bought my dad a Rasta Hat one year and Grandpa thought that was pretty great.
Grandpa holding Mateo in 2000.
Grandpa holding Jaxon in 2003.
With the boys and Tony the horse.
This is my favorite picture of Grandpa with the boys. We went to Riverside Park near my grandparent's house.
A good picture of Grandma & Grandpa at Grandpa's 90th Birthday party.
And here with my parents.
Having a Birthday breakfast at Denny's. They even put a candle in Grandpa's waffle.
This was the last visit I had with Grandpa in August.
I'm really going to miss you Grandpa. I'll think of you whenever I eat a grilled cheese sandwich and I'll forever treasure the tradition of waving the white hankie!
Love, your "Kandi Sweet"
6 comments:
So sorry to hear about your grandpa. You were truly blessed to have him a part of your life for so long. Grandparents are the best!!!! I treasure every day my grandmother (88 years old) is still with us.
I'm sorry too, it is hard to lose a loved one. He looks and sounds like an awesome Grandpa, it is good you had so many great memories with him.
I'm so sorry about your grandpa, but it sounds like he lived a long, full life of laughter - and that's so amazing!
What a great tribute to your Grandpa! I found it when I was trying to find information about his funeral. We knew him a little, and appreciated seeing the pictures of him.
Thank you all. Grandpa was a great guy. I'll miss him dearly!
To the person in Helix, there will be a gathering from 1 to 4pm on Saturday, Oct. 25th at the LaGrande Seventh Day Adventist Church (lunch at 1pm). Grandpa didn't want a funeral. He wanted everyone to get together and tell great stories. Everyone's welcome.
What a wonderful post in memory of your grandpa.
Grandparents are the best. I am sorry to hear of his passing. While reading your post I discovered we share the same birthday Nov 12th.
My hope for you is that you find comfort in the love that surrounds you to get through this difficult time. One grandpa is 95 and the other 81 so I feel grateful they are still with us.
Your children are so very lucky to have spent time with him and you will keep his memory alive by sharing all of your fond memories of him as they grow up.
Take care!!!
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