Rev. Leonard Evers

With faith in the Resurrection of our Lord, we offer our prayers for Rev. Leonard “Len” M. Evers, who died on February 23, 2026, at the age of 83.

Father Evers was born on March 11, 1942, in Little Chute, WI, the youngest son of Martin and Mary (Vander Loop) Evers. He was the nephew of Fathers Theodore and Stephen Vander Loop, O. Praem. He graduated high school from St. John, Little Chute and then Sacred Heart Seminary. He studied Philosophy at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana and Theology at St. John Seminary, Little Rock, Arkansas and Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans.

Father Evers was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1968, by Bishop Aloysius J. Wycislo at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. Father Evers faithfully served the Diocese of Green Bay for over five decades, beginning his ministry in 1968 at St. Philip the Apostle Parish, Green Bay, where he also served as Chaplain of the Calix Society.

In 1971, Father Evers was appointed Associate Pastor/Parochial Vicar of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Green Bay. In 1975, he was appointed Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Elcho and St. Mary, Pickerel. He was named Pastor of St. John Parish in Seymour in 1980, where he ministered for the next nine years before being appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Shawano in 1989. In 1994, Father Evers was appointed Pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil while remaining Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano until the year 2000. Then from 2000 until 2013 he served as Priest Moderator of St. Martin Parish.

Over the course of his ministry, Father Evers served as temporary administrator and Priest Moderator for several parishes, including St. Anthony Parish, Tigerton, St. Mary Parish, Marion, St. Rose Parish in Clintonville, St. Mary Parish in Bear Creek, St. Michael Parish in Keshena, and St. Francis Solanus Parish in Gresham.

Father Evers served as Regional Vicar for Vicariate II for two terms and was President of the Samaritan Halfway House for Alcoholics Inc. in Green Bay from 1970-1974.

Father Len Evers received senior priest status in 2013. He continued to celebrate Mass and was temporary administrator of St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lakewood in 2015.

In his free time, Father Len enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, especially at his cottage in Athelstane. He was an avid golfer and was always up for a game of Sheepshead or Cribbage.

Father Len is survived by his brother, Tom (Sue) Evers; sisters-in-law: Helen Evers and Lois Evers; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Fr. Len was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Geraldine (Elmer) Theunis, Rose (Joe) Dietzen, Richard (Dorothy) Evers, Margaret (Don) Christians, Norbert Evers, Jerome Evers, S. Celia Evers, Jerome, Margaret, Cecilia, Bertilla and Martha Evers.

Visitation will be held at St. John Nepomucene Parish, 411 Vandenbroek St, Little Chute, WI on Saturday, March 7, from 8:30AM until 10:45AM. The Funeral Mass, expressing our faith in the promised glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, will follow visitation and begin at 11:00AM with Most Reverend David L. Ricken as Celebrant and Rev. Robert Kollath as Homilist. Burial will follow the meal in St. John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established to benefit Unity Hospice.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Fr. Willie Vande Loo for all the visits and friendship; to the staff at McCormick Assisted Living, especially Amber, Mike, Diego, Jen, Teela and Tiana; and to the staff of Unity Hospice, especially Ashley and Jane, for all of the loving and compassionate care given to Father Len.