After winning the Northern St. Louis County women’s award for Outstanding Senior Citizen, Everal O’Brien became a contestant at the Minnesota State Fair’s contest for Minnesota’s Outstanding Senior. This award is presented on Senior Day, Aug. 30, at the Fair. Selection is made from winners of all counties throughout Minnesota. We were even more thrilled to learn that Everal did indeed win the state award.

This ends up being a bittersweet time. While Everal has been extremely healthy for her 91 years of age, she recently cracked a rib and hip bones and has been in extreme pain. This pain caused a heart attack and pneumonia to go undetected. While being hospitalized, cancer was also detected. Being unable to attend the State Fair, Everal was informed of winning the Outstanding Senior Award Tuesday, Aug. 28, and was very honored to be the recipient. Bonnie Ebnet, Linda Bennett and Theresa Harvey, all of Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, presented the award on Friday, Aug. 31 and sadly, Everal died away on Saturday, Sept. 1.

Everal is past-president of the Minnesota Senior Federation when it was the Iron Range Region and served many terms as president, area representative (16 years), and in the late 1980s served on the state board.

In a separate award presented by Commissioner Steve Raukar, Everal was awarded the county’s Volunteer of Excellence award at the July 24 county board meeting. What fitting tributes to a dedicated person who has volunteered countless hours to many diverse and non-profit organizations.

Everal will be truly missed by her many friends, fellow volunteers, Federation members and the community she served her entire life.