R. Bruce Everson

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Obituary

Robert Bruce Everson, “Bruce”, 83, of Mitchell, SD, died surrounded by family February 2, 2023, at home under hospice care. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at First United Methodist Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell. Visitation will be Monday, February 6, from 5-7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

R. Bruce Everson was born in Pipestone, Minnesota, November 11, 1939 to Milton A. Everson and Fern L. (Davis) Everson. Bruce grew up in Pipestone, learning the electrical business from his dad at Everson Electric. Bruce graduated from Pipestone High School in 1957, already a Master Electrician, an accomplishment he was very proud of. He married Elna “Ellie” Jensen October 24, 1958 in Ruthton, Minnesota and they made their home in Brookings, so Bruce could attend South Dakota State University. Bruce graduated from SDSU in 1963 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

In 1963 the family moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he took an electrical engineering position with General Electric. Shortly after, the family moved to Mitchell, South Dakota to work for Ray L. Roby and Associates, eventually becoming a partner and renaming the company Roby, Quintal, and Everson, Consulting Engineers. Bruce enjoyed working and worked for 60 years designing electrical systems for buildings across the state of South Dakota. Bruce, a meticulous engineer, prided himself in giving a quality electrical design to building owners. He was a member of the First United Methodist church, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE), a lifetime member of American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Corn Palace Shrine Club, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed shopping, shopping, shopping, boating on Lake Mitchell, spoiling his dogs, cooking meals and spending time with family and many friends. Bruce was quick to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and could be counted on for completing just about any task presented. He was always quick with a quip or a humorous wisecrack. He was never one to shy from telling a tale.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ellie and his children: Bob (Deb) Everson of Mitchell, Steve (Becky) Everson of Sioux Falls, Doyle (Margaret) Everson of Rapid City, Kathy (Grant) Wentz of Minot, ND, and Kami (Jeramie) Bartels of Brookings; 20 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Bruce was preceded in death by infant daughter Michelle Everson, his parents, his brother David and sister-in-law Marcia, and father and mother-in-law.

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