Eva Nygaard

Eva Elizabeth Nygaard, 102, of Owatonna, Minnesota, died and went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Nov. 20, 2020, at River Bend Assisted Living in Rochester, Minnesota. She was born June 29, 1918, in Blair, Nebraska, the daughter of Axel and Kirsten (Rasmussen) Axelsen.

Eva graduated from Blair High School in 1936 and attended Dana College for two years. It was at college she met her future husband, Marvin, and they were united in marriage on June 17, 1940, at First Lutheran Church in Blair. Together they served three parishes in Iowa, two in Illinois and two in Minnesota.

Eva was a loving wife and devoted mother and enjoyed her role as a pastor’s wife. She was famous for her “made from scratch” angel food cakes, receiving a blue ribbon at the Steele County Free Fair in her 80s. She made 450 cakes which she gave away as gifts since the passing of her husband Marvin in 2014.

Eva loved being a wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, traveling with her family, and playing the organ and piano. She loved serving the Lord wherever needed.

She is survived by her daughters, Joyce Nygaard of Rochester, Mary and Glen Seresse of St. Charles, Minnesota, and Joy and Craig Tweedt of North Liberty, Iowa; son, David and Vicki Nygaard of Holyoke; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Nygaard; and son, John Nygaard.

Private family graveside services were held Nov. 25 at St. John Cemetery in Owatonna, with the Reverend Charles Espe officiating.

Memorials are preferred to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna was entrusted with the arrangements.