Everett Colby

Everett “Ev” Colby, age 77, of Perham, MN, died Wednesday, June 16, 2010, at home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley after an eight month battle with brain cancer.


Ev was born August 9, 1932 , in Moorhead , MN , the son of Everett Charles and Crystal Sonja (Hauske) Colby. He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1950 and served in the US Air Force from 1951-54 earning the National Defense Service Medal and an Occupation Medal. After being honorably discharged, Ev attended Moorhead State University majoring in biology and a minor in social studies. While in school, he worked for the Soil Conservation Service as a conservation aid. In 1960, he moved to Ruthton , MN , for his first teaching job. Ev moved to Perham , MN , in 1964 and taught science and later became a Junior High Counselor. During those early years in Perham, Ev worked the weekends playing drums for a band. On December 5, 1975 , he was united in marriage to Marilyn Rollins in Detroit Lakes , MN . In 1976, Ev earned an MS degree at Bemidji State University . He retired in 1991 and enjoyed his summers at the lake fishing and his fall and winters hunting and reloading shells. Ev took great pride in perfecting his lawn. Later they wintered in Arizona and took up ballroom dancing and golfing.



Ev taught kids to waterski, target shoot, hunt and fish and he truly enjoyed mentoring kids. He was an early member of the Perham Sportsman’s Club, a longtime member of Calvary Lutheran Church and enjoyed Lakeside Dance Club of Glenwood, MN .



Ev is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn; son, Dave (Pam) Colby, Kenmare, ND; daughter, Judy (Rick) Jones, Laramie, WY; daughter, Jinny (Paul) Trotti, Moorhead, MN; grandchildren, Lexi and Chris Colby; Caylee (Jordan) Martin; Emmy, Chrissy and Angie Jones; Gavin, Micky and Dayna Trotti; and his first wife, Dory Colby, Moorhead, MN.



Preceding Ev in death are his parents; uncle, Dana Colby; and grandson, R.J. Jones.



In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Calvary Lutheran Church , Hospice of the Red River Valley, the American Cancer Society (Perham Relay for Life) or Caringbridge.