Brent and Dotty Evanson met just over 47 years ago when Brad Thorpe set his Canadian friend going to BYU up with his cousin who had recently finished school there.  The blind date went well and about six months later the two were sealed in the Ogden Utah temple.  Blind date to married in about six months may seem fast, but Dotty has always said, “you’ll know what you need to know when you need to know it” and Brent and Dotty both knew they had found the person they wanted to spend eternity with and didn’t see the sense in wasting any time.

After they were married, Brent continued working on his master’s degree at BYU and Dotty taught school in Spanish Fork.  The two decided once Brent finished school, they would look to establish their future home wherever the first one found work with their degree.  Dotty may have worked the system when striking this deal, as she had already been offered a position to teach at Malad Elementary and always knew she wanted to move home.  Brent, always a man of his word agreed to the move, but it may have taken the promise of a snowmobile once they arrived in Malad to solidify the agreement.  They had each found the love of their life and Dotty was moving back to the place she loved the most.  It didn’t take Brent long to fall in love with Malad and know he was home as well.

Brent and Dotty quickly integrated into the community.  Dotty loved being home and teaching at the school, and after a few years at Nucor, Brent found his true calling when he was offered a position at the Malad Seminary.  They raised their four boys (Brett, Brandon, Boe and Brad) while teaching Malad’s youth at the elementary school and seminary. Their love for each other, their family and the community continued to grow.  Faith, Family and Malad were their core.

Their church and community service further fortified their love and connection to the valley and its people.  Life was good and they were surrounded by good people.  The only thing that could get them to leave was a call to serve a mission.  So, for the first time since moving to Malad, they had to leave.  Dotty wasn’t sure she could do it, but she lasted three years, completed their mission and quickly returned home.  Dotty admits she enjoyed her time in Georgia, but let Brent know any other callings requiring him to leave the valley may require him to purchase a second house as she was staying put. 

Brent and Dotty continue to serve and care for their family and community in multiple ways.  They both stay busy with church callings and serving on community boards.  If something needs to get done, Dotty will make sure it happens.  Brent may not always be as enthusiastic about projects, but continually works to help Malad and the people in it and finds great fulfilment in serving the people and community he loves.  They both love spending time with their grandkids and are actively involved in their lives.  Some of you may get a small sampling of that when reading Grandparents Only.  They also love spending time with extended family and friends.

Their family and the community of Malad have been the beneficiaries of their love, and the work and effort it led to in serving those around them.  We should all be grateful these two met and fell in love 47 years ago. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!