Memorial Service for Joel Evans will be held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Swea City, Iowa at 11:00 AM, on Monday, October 12, 2026.Joel Timothy Evans was born in Blue Earth, Minnesota on March 5, 1954 to William and Minerva (Thomas) Evans. He passed away at his home in Swea City after a long and hard fought battle against cancer on October 4, 2026 at the age of 72.Joel graduated from high school in Elmore, Minnesota. Following high school he spent a short time working at Winnebago Industries in Forest City before moving to Art's Way Manufacturing in Armstrong. Eventually Joel moved on to Valero in Lakota where he retired in 2022. Following high school Joel married Karen Engelbarts with whom he had two children. On May 8, 1992 he was united in marriage to Brenda Engeman where he had two more children. The couple made their home in Swea City.Joel was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Swea City. He had a deep faith and love for Jesus. He was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa; always putting his family first. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and the constant laughter that would ensue. Outside of his family, Joel's greatest passion was golf which was a year-round activity for him and something that Joel used to connect to every aspect of the world around. Joel had a mechanical mind and liked to engineer designs for many things. Despite his many gifts and talents, Joel maintained his humility and kindness to impact all those around him.Joel is survived by his loving wife Brenda of Swea City; his children Tanja Evans of Des Moines, IA, Ryan (Maggie) Evans of Ames, IA, Joshua (Jessica) Evans of Garrison, ND, and Brittney (Michael) Rohde of Colome, SD; and his grandchildren Conner and Eva Buettner; Wyatt Evans, Abbie (Adam) Evans, Kain Neill, Mason Jessen, Ranie and Stormy Evans, and Rocker Rohde. He is also survived by his siblings Barbara Anderson, Dorthy (James) Varno, Neil Evans, and Kathy DeNio (Terry Gardner) and his brothers and sisters-in-law David Guck, Steven (Vicki) Sterling, Chuck (Cheryl) Engeman, Larry (Nancy) Engeman, Nancy Engeman, Beth Slettedahl, Dan Engeman, Ron Schroeder, and Nick Roney; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family.Joel is preceded in death by his parents; parent-in-laws Harvey and Anna Mae (Engeman) Howard, his sisters Millicent Guck, Avis Schroeder, and Monica Roney; his brothers Larry Evans, William Evans, and Michael Evans; and his brothers-in-law Donald Anderson, Rob Engeman, James Engeman, Goozer "Paul" Slettedahl. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com. Henry-Olson Funeral Homes is assisting the family with arrangements.
