Sheldon G. Evjen

Sheldon G. Evjen, 91, of South Sioux City, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022.  Services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 10, 2022 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in South Sioux City. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Sioux City. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with a vigil service at 7:00 P.M. at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home.

Sheldon was born on November 20, 1930 at home near Beresford, South Dakota, the son of Carrol and Ethel (Hedeen) Evjen.  He grew up on various farms that his dad managed.  He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1948.

Sheldon worked at Curtiss Companies, Inc., where he met the love of his life, Bernadine “Bernie” Dineen.  Sheldon and Bernie were married on Dec. 29, 1951, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in South Sioux City and were blessed with two children.  They enjoyed 67 years together until Bernie passed in 2018.  Sheldon later went on to work for Todd Paint and Flooring before subcontracting jobs on his own through Fashion Floors for many years until retirement.

His passion was flying.  He got his pilot’s license at the age 61.  He was also involved in building and flying radio-controlled planes, especially war planes.  He was such a craftsman and perfectionist that he earned a reputation as a premier constructor of planes in the Midwest.  He won many Best of Show awards at air shows.  It was through this recognition that he met and became fast friends with Mike and Gerry from the Kansas City area and built many custom planes for them. 

Sheldon was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church. 

Sheldon is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Jim) Zortman of Dakota Dunes; son, Randy (Patty) Evjen of Sergeant Bluff; grandchildren, Nick (Jill), Della, Zack (Dana), Kristy (Bryce), and Rachel (Casey); six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elaine and Tony Dorau.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Bernie.