Along with many others in the Brainerd Lakes Area, Historic Evergreen Cemetery suffered significant damage from the storm on Monday, June 20, 2022.

We lost 30+ mature trees in the storm, as well as significant damage to other trees. The gates have been closed since Tuesday morning while the downed trees were removed by our grounds crew. We anticipate the gates being open again Monday morning, June 27.

Lots of branches from general wind damage are also littering most of the cemetery and further cleanup is needed from the tree removal. We have only three full-time grounds staff during the summer and there is a tremendous amount of work yet to be done.

The Association is asking for volunteers from the community to help us speed up getting the cemetery presentable again. The Office at 1105 3rd Ave NE will be open at 9 am Monday to organize volunteers wishing to help with the cleanup. This may be a multi-day cleanup effort so please check in Tuesday and Wednesday, too, if you can. Any amount of time, whether an hour or all day, would be much appreciated. We have a form that volunteers need to read and sign before working in the cemetery. If you have a pickup or a small trailer to haul debris to our onsite dumping area, that would be very helpful. Please bring your own leaf rakes as we only have a few.

Grounds Superintendent Zeb Hodel will direct volunteers to areas needing cleanup and provide other information and guidance.

Thank you for your support of our cemetery!