Pietisten

Tribute to Evonne Stenberg

by Phil Johnson

It came as a shock to all who knew and loved her that Evonne Peterson Stenberg was sick unto death. Though she remarked early in the year that she was feeling more tired than usual, she appeared as her vibrant self at the Covenant Manor Benefit Dinner in May. However, she soon became critically ill. There were moments of hope for a brief remission of the disease, but such was not to be the case. Evonne died at a Mayo hospital.

The range of her impact and influence became quickly and dramatically clear. More that 600 persons flooded Bethlehem Covenant Church in Minneapolis for the memorial service. The tributes to her and remembrances of her touched us all. Rev. Robert Dvorak, Superintendent of the East Coast Conference, Evonne’s former boss when they were both at Winnetka Covenant Church, paid her tribute and Rev. Herb Freedholm, Superintendent of the Central Conference, preached the sermon.

Hearts went out to Pastor Phil Stenberg and to Evonne’s children and relatives. Though the congregation celebrated Evonne’s life, they mourned deeply and were troubled by her early death. To mention only one thing, it is sad to realize that we will never again hear Evonne belt out the great notes on her trumpet. Peace to her memory.