Carl Henry Everts, of Lincoln, (formerly of Seward), went to his eternal home on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
He was born Nov. 25, 1930, to John and Anna (Wietzke) Everts on a farm near Grafton. At age two, his mother died, and his dad then married Lydia Koenig. He attended Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, earning a bachelor’s degree in education in 1953. While at Concordia, Carl began dating fellow student Helen Boernsen from rural Ocheyedan, Iowa. After winning her heart, they were united in marriage in May City, Iowa, on June 2, 1953. This union was blessed with four children, Marcia, Karla, Michael and Jennine.
The couple’s first home was in Flint, Michigan, where Carl began his teaching career at St. Paul Lutheran School and was also the church organist. He earned a Master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan in 1958, and then taught and served as principal for one year at St. John Lutheran School in Germantown, Iowa. In 1959, the family moved to Austin, Texas, where Carl taught, served as athletic director and coached various sports at Concordia College. While there, he received his doctorate from the University of Texas.
In 1969 Carl returned to Concordia–Seward, where he served as professor of health and physical education, and for 21 years he served as athletic director. He also coached golf and women’s basketball and continued to coach golf after retiring from his AD position. He was named NAIA District Coach of the Year three times while coaching the women’s basketball program. Carl was inducted into the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.
Carl and Helen made lifelong friends wherever they lived. They enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, and organizing the annual family reunions. He enjoyed bowling and of course, golf. At St. John Lutheran Church, he was an elder, an outreach minister, and sang in the choir. He loved music, especially sacred, classical and his favorite musicals. Carl was very active in the Kiwanis Club of Seward. He was a devoted husband, father and grandpa. After he retired, they enjoyed wintering in New Braunfels, Texas, where Carl golfed, and they could visit with friends from their Austin days.
He is survived by his children, Marcia Houchin of Lincoln, Karla (Bill) Billen of Topeka, Kansas, Mike (Terri) of Reno, Nevada, and Jennine (Mike) Neihardt of Lincoln; grandchildren, Alex Houchin, Leah Gregory (Russell Thorsness), Erika (John) Hendley, Katie Kuntzman, Sam Billen (Yuka Naito), Dan (Rosa) Billen, Elizabeth (Larry) Rickmann, Sara (Bob) Frew, Molly (Kevin) Frost, Ryan Everts, Sadie Everts, Joel Neihardt, Derek Neihardt (Karol Arguello), Scott (Hannah) Neihardt; 19 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. Carl was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Anita Hutchison (Ralph), Bob Everts (Beverly), Milo Everts; his wife, Helen; and granddaughter, Rachel Neihardt.
The funeral service was Aug. 12 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with committal in the Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church or school, Concordia University or the Alzheimers Association. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
