Iva Mae Hevern

Iva Mae (Bechtol) Hevern, age 85, of Osakis passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Galeon Senior Living Center in Osakis. Graveside services will be held at Pleasant Mound Cemetery in Carlos, Minnesota on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Iva Mae Hevern was born to Flora Opal (Lathrum) and James Russell Bechtol on November 18, 1937 in Adair, Iowa. She was one of two girls born to the couple. She and her sister, Lois, moved with her parents to Crystal Lake, Minnesota in 1942. They remained there for three years as their father worked for a local farmer. In 1945, the family moved to a farm north of Osakis, where they would remain for many years.

Iva attended school until the 11^th grade in Osakis and made many life-long friends. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and especially loved attending dances every Saturday, as well as the annual 4^th of July picnic.

On April 28, 1956, Iva married Russell Hevern at Osakis Lutheran Church and the two enjoyed 63 years of marriage and welcomed two children, Rodney and Kimberly. Together, the couple loved playing bingo, spending time with their grandchildren, and dancing – especially the polka.

During her working years, Iva was employed at Red Owl, Herberger’s, Knute Nelson, and 3M. She worked as a machine operator at 3M for 24 years before her retirement. After retiring, Iva enjoyed going to St. Cloud to play bingo, visiting her mother at The Manor, spending even more time with her children, grandchildren, and beloved dog Sadie, and, of course, dancing. In the short period of time, she stayed at The Galeon Assisted Living before her passing, she stated her goal to be placed on the community whiteboard was “to dance again.”

Iva passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at The Galeon in Osakis; she was 85 years old. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Rodney (Tammy Kieke) Hevern of Clearwater, Minnesota, Kim (David) Larsen of Billings, Montana; grandchildren: Chris, Russell, Erin, Jamie, Jess, and James; four great-grandchildren; and many other beloved family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Opal and James Bechtol; her husband, Russell; and her sister, Lois Smith.