Everett James Adams

Everett James Adams 1942-2020 Janesville. Everett died peacefully at Bridgewater in Janesville on August 13, 2020 at the age of 77. Everett was born on November 1, 1942 in Mankato, Minnesota to Leon and Margaret (Denn) Adams.

He attended school in Minnesota Lake and Janesville, MN. In high school he participated in basketball and was a member of the 1959 Hall of Fame Janesville Boys Basketball Team. Everett graduated from Janesville High School in 1960.

The first job Everett had out of high school was on the family farm in partnership with his father Leon and brothers, David and Pete. Everett was a veteran and served proudly in the United States Army Reserves from 1964 until he was honorably discharged in 1970. In 1968, he met a good looking gal by the name of Judy Johnson when he was introduced to her at Bill’s Liquor by local Irish Vocalist, Pat Thissen. Judy asked this handsome, quiet and shy man to join her at a party and he obliged. Everett and Judy were united in marriage on August 29, 1970 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Janesville and were about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Everett and Judy lived on an acreage outside of Janesville where they raised their three children.

Everett was a hard worker, and throughout his life, he farmed, worked at Ramy Seed Company, managed the Janesville American Legion, built and remodeled numerous homes, assisted in running family businesses including the Dundas Corner Bar, Adams’ Rib Restaurant, Saturday Night at the Movies video store, Judy's Catering & Potato Salad, and Adams Construction. He used his carpentry skills to build his own home and assisted with building each of his three children’s homes. Everett took pride in that and his children are eternally grateful for the skills he taught them. Everett was very involved and active in his parish, and finished his career as a maintenance man at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

Everett loved supporting his three children and 13 grandchildren by attending their sporting events, major life events, helping out with home projects, and simply just hanging out. The grandchildren were fortunate to live so close to him and will forever cherish the memories of the times they spent with him watching cartoons, singing silly songs, learning coin tricks and the little rascal chin wave, riding in his red pickup truck, eating the breakfasts he made for them before getting them off to school in the morning, hearing him say “the bus is at the corner” and the countless rebounding he did for them every summer. Although Everett’s memories were fading and he sometimes couldn’t recall all their names he perked up any time he saw one of them, they were the light of his life. In his final days he spent time showing his caretakers pictures of his grandchildren and took his last breath with those pictures beside him.

A story from the kids:
When we were growing up, each night, on the way to bed, dad would walk upstairs and stop halfway up leaning on the bannister. While there, he would have an evening conversation with us. When his eyes got a bit heavy and it was time to “hit the hay,” dad would end the conversation with “Well, I’m going up now.” Dad, you’ve made your final ascent. We’ll miss you. We love you.

Everett is survived by his wife, Judy, three children: Joanie (Lyncon) Olson of Janesville, MN, Bill (Stacy) Adams of Spicer, MN, and Jeff (Angela) Adams of Janesville, MN; 13 grandchildren: Alexis, Emily, Gable, Claire, Faith, Alison, Katelyn, Aubrey, Emma, Bryn, Isaiah, Mason, and Mallory; and nine siblings Dean, David (Shelby), Richard (Luane), John (Janet), Pete (Sue), Paul (Vicky), Diane Galler, Judy (Dick) Anderson, Kathy (Darrell) Danielson and several sisters- in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert and Jerome “Jerry”, parents-in-law, Lowell and Hazel Johnson, brothers-in-law, Duane Ruedy, Gordy Galler, and John Fury, and sister-in-law Karlene Adams.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Janesville. A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held. Interment will be in St. Ann Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services of Janesville. www.dennisfuneralhomes.com