Evelyn Piper, 97, of Rugby, ND and formerly of Minnewaukan, ND, passed away Monday, September 28, 2015 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, ND. A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock, ND with Pastor Allen Campbell officiating. Burial will be held at the St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery in rural Minnewaukan, ND following the service. Casket Bearers will be Mike Loken, Leo Sayler, Sheila Wichmann, Jim Fossen, Marinell Holst and Amanda Grant.

Evelyn Lucille Schuman was born on April 30, 1918 in Warren, MN to Ernest and Daisy (Kurz) Schuman. At the age of six, she moved with her family to a farm near Minnewaukan, ND. She was educated at the rural Eldon #3 school and graduated as Valedictorian in 1937 from Benson County Agricultural and Training School in Maddock, ND. She then worked for three years at the Auditor's office in Minnewaukan, ND. In 1944 she graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo with a major in Home Economics and minored in Science and English. She taught in Rolette and Maddock.

In 1946, Evelyn married Harvey Piper at the West Minnewaukan Free Church and they farmed in Aurora Township until retiring in 1998, when they moved to Rugby.

Evelyn was baptized in the German Lutheran Church in Warren, MN and after moving, was confirmed at the West Minnewaukan Free Church where they were members until is closure when they joined at St. Olaf. Evelyn was always active in her church and held various offices in WELCA, taught Parochial School and served as organist at the Free Church.

Estelle Renee was born in 1948 and Ronald Wayne arrived in 1950. At that time, Evelyn lost her hearing but returned to teaching in Minnewaukan in 1953. She taught in Randle, WA, Sheyenne, ND and twelve years in Devils Lake, ND for a total of thirty three years. She loved learning with her students. In 1983 she was named "Teacher of the Year" in Devils Lake, ND. She worked with many student teachers from NDSU both at Minnewaukan and Devils Lake. She also served as advisor for Future Homemakers of America for many years.

Evelyn was a member of the National Education Association, NDED, AAOW and many other professional organizations. She was Secretary of Benson County Farmers Union for seven years. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading and being with family, relative and friends. Her beloved husband, Harvey, died in 2009.

Surviving are a son, Ron Piper, of Minnewaukan, ND; a daughter, Estelle Harder, of Rugby, ND; two grandsons, Ryan Harder, of Minnewaukan, ND and Reid Harder, of Wahpeton, ND; two sister-in-law's, Lucille Schuman, of Gilbertsville, KY and Joan Schuman, of Sun Lakes, AZ and a number of nieces and nephews.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harvey; brothers, Kenneth, Glenn and Earl and a sister Ethel Helgeson.