Everett "Ev" Kjelbertson, age 83, of South Twin Lake, MN, died on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Sanford Palliative Care in Fargo, ND.

Everett "Ev" Vernon Kjelbertson was born February 20, 1935, in Devils Lake, ND, to Randell and Julia (Nermoe) Kjelbertson. His early youth was spent on the family farm until the family moved to town following Randell's death in 1943. Ev was a sports enthusiast his entire life. During his high school years, he led both the football and basketball teams as a team captain. Following his high school graduation from Devils Lake in 1953, Ev furthered his formal education at North Dakota State School of Science at Wahpeton and earned his Bachelor's Degree at Jamestown College, while playing both sports.

While attending NDSSS, Ev met the love of his life, Dianne Horne. They were united in marriage on August 31, 1957, in Wahpeton. The young couple made their home in LaMoure, ND, where Ev would begin his teaching and football coaching career. From 1958-1964, his team would make an impressive run of 37-9-1. In 1964, they moved to Fargo, ND, where Ev would complete his Master's Degree at NDSU in 1966. This also led to the transition from high school athletics to the college level for Ev.  In 1966, he began as the head freshman football coach, followed by assistant varsity coach the following year and would become the head football coach of the NDSU Bison from 1973-1975.

Although, Ev stepped off the field in 1975, he continued to teach until 1979. His next endeavor would take him to Minot, ND, and later in 1988 to Bismarck, ND, where he was part owner of R&D Construction until 1996. Even though Ev retired in 1996 and he and Dianne built their retirement home on South Twin Lake, he remained busy. He obtained his realtors license and worked as a realtor for Action Realty out of Detroit Lakes, MN, until 2004. Ev was very involved with the goings on of Mahnomen County. He served on the Twin Lakes Township Board for six years, the Mahnomen Soil and Water District Board for seven years and held the title of Mahnomen County Commissioner for six years.

Over the years, coaching and athletics were Ev's passion, but it was his family that made him complete. He loved his wife and daughters and truly adored the grandchildren and all their sports and activities. In turn, they always looked forward to Grandpa's breakfasts of pancakes and crisp bacon on their visits to the lakes. Any day spent with family was a day well spent. Ev enjoyed fishing, golfing and cheering on the NDSU Bison and MN Vikings. He was blessed with a great sense of humor and the gift of gab, often saying, "Who has more fun than people?". Ev could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and later part as friends. He truly enjoyed life at the lake. He took pride in their home and yard with the many flower gardens he planted and tended. Most mornings Ev could be found at Pinehurst having coffee with the guys and you could always count on him for a narrated tour on the pontoon around South Twin. Ev touched many lives and he will live on in their hearts forever.

Ev passed peacefully from this life on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Sanford Palliative Care in Fargo, ND, surrounded by family.  He was 83 years young. He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Dianne of South Twin Lake; daughters, Debra (Douglas) Baker of Fargo, ND, and Jennifer (Brian) VanBerkom of Jamestown, ND; a daughter Ev loved like his own, Linda Henderson of Brooklyn Park, MN; grandsons: Cody (Allison) Baker, of Fargo, and Luke, Jack and Eric VanBerkom of Jamestown; a great granddaughter, Jossy Baker also of Fargo; nieces and nephews. He was met with open arms in heaven by his parents; three sisters; one brother; and a grandson, Jordan Baker.

In honoring Ev, a private family Celebration of Life will be held.