Myron "Jim" Evans, age 79 of Dunseith, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024 at a Minot hospital.  His funeral.will be held.on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 10:00 am at the St Michael's Catholic Church in Dunseith.  Visitation will be on Thursday starting at 4:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Jim was born on September 28, 1944, to Myron Evans and Alice Tennancour in Bottineau, ND. He was the second of seven children, born and raised on the ranch that held a special place in his heart forever.

On the memorable day of May 27, 1986, he exchanged vows with his beloved, Cheri (Metcalfe) Evans, the person who held the key to his heart. Their enduring love and commitment blossomed over the years as they embarked on the beautiful journey of raising three wonderful children together. Jim's dedication to his family was unwavering, and his love for them was a guiding light in his life.

In 1963, Jim graduated from Dunseith High School and began his journey into the workforce.  His career took him to various places, starting with work for Morris Knutson on the Missile Sites in Langdon, ND. In 1964, he moved to Seattle, Washington, to work for Boeing Aircraft, where he was involved in building bulkheads for 707 Aircraft. However, he only stayed for approximately 9 months due to his dislike of the rainy weather in Seattle. Following this, Jim headed to Beaumont, TX, to pursue further education in heavy equipment operations with his friend Dwight Coleman. Later, in 1967, Jim found work in Osseo, MN, at C.S. McCrosson, a company owned by his uncle Charlie McCrosson, where he was a heavy equipment operator.  In 1974, he worked for Grey Tech, where he helped build the stunning scenic route of Highway 43 in the Bottineau Dunseith area, highlighting the breathtaking beauty of the Turtle Mountains. His career was a testament to his adventurous spirit and his willingness to embrace new challenges.

After the passing of his father, Jim felt a strong pull to return to his roots at the family ranch, where his heart and passion truly belonged. Taking over the ranch seemed to come naturally to him, and he embraced the opportunity to carry on the legacy his father had left behind. He witnessed the evolution of farm life throughout his lifetime, from manually putting up hay with horses as a young boy to using self-driving machinery in the hay field.  He always found peace in the presence of cattle, developing a deep bond with the herds, and earning respect and admiration from the cattlemen in the surrounding communities. But perhaps his greatest role was as a mentor to his son David, passing on his passion and legacy of the ranch to the next generation. Their shared commitment and hard work ensured that the ranch's traditions and values would endure for years to come.

Jim had a strong work ethic. While tending to the ranch, a friend, Duane Fugere, temporarily requested his help driving a bus. This eventually led to a long and fulfilling career driving a school bus for the Dunseith School System for around 40 years. He often proudly mentioned that he had transported three generations of kids, which exemplified his dedication and punctuality. If you were ever late, you would hear him say, "You'd never make it as a bus driver."

While some days it seemed, work was the most important, he always made sure family was top priority.   He always set aside time for conversations with his siblings on the phone, and he cherished their visits to North Dakota, particularly in the fall when they would pitch in to chop corn and in the spring when they worked together during the joyful yet challenging calving season. He eagerly anticipated his yearly trips to Las Vegas, where he enjoyed the company of close friends and family and never missed an opportunity at a good dice game. The highlight was watching the much-anticipated Superbowl game with his favorite people.

Jim enjoyed every bite of Cheri's homemade baking, treasured their peaceful evenings on the porch, and enjoyed each other's company over a tender steak.  Watching his children tackle challenges, follow their passions, and become outstanding individuals filled him with pride. He was always eager to hear "the latest" after Diane's shift at Dales when she was younger, and later, he enjoyed the many phone calls and visits from Minnesota.  His presence was a source of comfort for David, always ready to offer a helping hand or share words of wisdom. They both treasured their daily morning conversations over coffee. His grandkids brought endless joy to his life, and he always had a special treat waiting for them.

Jim was a strong man with a big heart who lived his life with integrity and strength. His firm handshake symbolized his commitment and trustworthiness. He has impacted many lives and will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by wife of 38 years, Cheri; daughters Christina (Kevin) St Claire Bottineau; Diane (Brian) Potts of Blaine, MN; David (Kyleigh) Evans of Dunseith; brothers Tom (Jan) Evans of Monticello, MN; Frank (LaRae) Evans, Owatonna, MN; Mike (Patty) Evans of Fargo, ND; Greg (Joanne) of Owatonna, MN and Pat of Fargo, ND.  Step-siblings Tom Berube of Lisbon, ND; Cecile Reynolds of Minot, ND; Jim (Linda) Berube of Bottineau, ND. 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Myron Evans; his mother, Alice Berube; his stepfather, Fortune Berube; his sister, Linda Carlson; brother-in-law Lindy Carlson; stepbrother William Berube; stepbrother-in-law Ron Reynolds; and nephew, Luke Evans.