He was born on June 27th, 1944 in New Ulm to Lawrence and Hannah (Simonson) Femrite. He was the middle child in a household of three children raised on a farm in Lafayette and proceeded to enlist in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Vietnam Conflict from 1962 to 1965. This was one of his greatest accomplishments. Upon his homecoming, he graduated from the Mankato School of Business. Afterward, he worked for the Chicago Board of Trade and then returned to Minneesota, where he worked for Alwin’s Electric and married Gloria Ann Mathiowetz of Sleepy Eye. This is where he opened his own business Gene’s Appliance & Carpet. He then pursued a career as Plant Manager of Bongards Creamery and Plant Supervisor at Nordic Track in Belle Plaine. He was promoted to Research and Development at Rupp Industries and was also a Supervisor and Fork Lift Driver for other corporations. Gene was a jack of all trades; however, he enjoyed woodworking the most. He was a sports enthusiast and never missed a boxing match, Viking’s or Twin’s game. Gene was a generous donator to many charities. Most of all, he will always be remembered by loved ones as an ambitious, strong-minded, supportive and witty individual that has inspired many to do the same.

Gene is survived by his three children and precious dog, Chester; Audra (Dan) Brenke of St. Peter; Melanie (Gordon) Capaul and Lee Femrite of LeCenter; his beloved grandchildren: Brita Emigh (fiance’ Cass Sanford), Hannah Brenke, Lily Capaul and Cole Brenke. He is also survived by his sister, Janice (Dennis) Larsen of Hastings and 7 nieces and nephews, including in-law’s Rose Marie (Myron) Rich.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 25 years and mother to his children, Gloria (Mathiowetz) Femrite; special friend, Cheryl Berge (New Germany); parents, Lawrence and Hannah Femrite and brother Larry Femrite.

Gene will be remembered with a private Celebration of Life and a military burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

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