Rodger L. "Digger" Evans, 67, passed away the evening of August 18, 2020 with his wife, Genie, by his side in Great Falls, MT.  Cremation has taken place and his graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Riverside Cemetery.  Rodger's Honorary Pallbearers will be his family and long- time friends. Memorial donations in Rodger's name may be made to the Dedman Foundation, P.O. Box 1282, Fort Benton, MT 59442 or to the Chouteau County Cancer Support Group.  Benton Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.  Please visit Rodger's online memorial page at www.bentonfh.com .

Rodger was born May 8, 1953 in Great Falls, MT to Robert and Opal Evans.  He was raised on the family farm north of Carter in the Chimney Rock Coulee where his brother Kenneth Evans still resides. He graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1972.  He also welcomed his daughter Sheila with his wife Marlene Hankins Evans later that year.  The couple later divorced.

After high school he attended Denver Automotive and Diesel College for a time.  While there he made many memories that he often talked about, including grocery shopping with "Mother Hen" and "Gordy".  Returning to Fort Benton, he worked for Naeseth's Redi-mix and other businesses in Great Falls and the surrounding area.  He was married to Tammi Hansen Evans for a time.  They later divorced.

Rodger finally decided that it was time to be his own boss.  He bought a backhoe and started his business "Evan's Backhoe" which he owned and operated until his death.

In the summer of 1985, he found his soul mate/life partner – Genie Stone.  With Genie came two children, Jake and Mandy.  It is unknown exactly how many summers that they spent every weekend camping, boating, and relaxing with friends at Tiber.  The most memorable weekend at Tiber was when our dog, "Sheena", stole Ted Fultz's steak off his grill in front of all of us!!

There are things that family and friends will never forget.  He was Neighborhood Watch at least twice a day; he was Campfire Watch at the lake; and he began a lot of his conversations with "the other day ago".

Rodger fought an 11-year battle with cancer and never gave up!  When asked "How you doing", he always replied, "I'm doing good".

Rodger was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sherry Evans Tutt; sister-in-law, Janet Evans; and stepfather, Harvey Powell.

He is survived by his wife, Genie Stone; brother, Kenneth Evans; children, Sheila (Ryan) Oliver, Jacob Brugman, and Mandy (Ryan) Klimas; grandchildren, Katelynn Oliver, Emily Oliver, Eli Brugman, Stanley Klimas, Zowie Klimas and Kenzie Klimas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.