Sauby becomes sole owner of Evans Funeral Home

January 1 was a big day for Thomas Sauby of Carrington. He became the sole owner of Evans Funeral Home four years to the day after he moved back to his hometown to take over for his dad, Fred.

Thomas purchased Fred's interest in the business on January 1, 2014. This January 1, Thomas purchased Kent Braunberger's share of the business.

Thomas wants residents here to know that even though the ownership has changed, the commitment Evans Funeral Home has to New Rockford will remain the same. The facility here will remain open, and all commitments and arrangements made with families will be honored.

Thomas plans to generally spend mornings in New Rockford and afternoons in Carrington. His two office managers, Susan McCorkle and Sheree Bush, will be available for families when he is not. The office managers, as well as funeral assistants Larry Schagunn, Brent Johnson and Dennis Koenig, work behind the scenes to assist the families.

"We're always here for people," Thomas noted. "Our commitment to New Rockford and the surrounding communities will not change. We will take the same pride and care that we always have."

Thomas said their work with families begins well before a funeral with planning and preparation, and in some cases extends for years beyond the service.

Thomas was born and raised in Carrington while his father served 30 years as funeral director at Evans Funeral Home. Twenty-two of those years were in partnership with Kent Braunberger of New Rockford. The two men purchased the funeral home from Lyle Evans in 1992.

After Thomas graduated high school, he spent five years in the military. Then he attended college at Southern Illinois University, where he received his degree in mortuary science in 2012. He spent two-and-a-half years in Fargo working at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home before returning home to continue his father's legacy.

Thomas continues to seek help from his father, however, and Fred remains available when needed. "He says he retired, but I say he changed his pace," Thomas said of his father.

Thomas will host an Open House on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 6 - 7 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home in downtown New Rockford. At 7 p.m. he will lead a short informational session, and the public is invited to ask questions.

Evans Funeral Home offers compassionate funeral service for families in their time of need, and the company's history of serving the communities of Carrington and New Rockford has endured for over 80 years under a few different names and funeral directors. The complete history, as well as obituaries and online condolences, are available online at http://www.evansfuneralhomeND.com.