Gene grew up on the family farm in Southern Minnesota. He attended a two-room country schoolhouse through 8th grade. He attended Catholic school and received his First Confession, Holy Communion and Confirmation. He graduated from New Ulm High School where he was active in Future Farmers of America and played clarinet in the band in the high school plus in the Lafayette community bands. In the Lafayette community band he met the love of his life, Marjorie. They would date and fall in love. Gene and Marge were married after college and spent over 60 wonderful years together.

Gene studied Agricultural Education at the University of Minnesota and played in the marching band. After seeing US Navy planes flying near his hometown, he was inspired to become a pilot. After graduation, he joined the Navy as an Aviation Officer Candidate and, after initial training, his dream of flying became reality. He served honorably for 26 years amassing hundreds of carrier landings on every aircraft carrier in the Navy and thousands of hours flying including combat missions in Vietnam and Command of a Squadron in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During his career he earned his Masters Degree in International Affairs at George Washington University. He retired in Corpus Christi, Texas maintaining his flying status his entire career. He loved the Catholic Church and often made baked goods for gatherings after mass and was a Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus. After moving to Courtney Butte in the early 90s, Gene and Marge joined St. Katherine’s Catholic Church in Enterprise, Oregon. He was a faithful and humble parishioner until he passed.

An avid outdoorsman, Gene loved hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, and hiking. Gene searched for a place to spend his retirement doing the things he loved and found Courtney Butte Ranch outside Flora, Oregon, where he lived out his dream with Marge and his yellow Labrador Retriever, Sheyenne, at his side. Gene was an avid conservationist, mentor, and volunteer. He served as Chapter and State Chairman of Oregon Ducks Unlimited and as a Scoutmaster in his sons’ Boy Scout Troops. Gene and Marge traveled the world in retirement visiting many countries to hunt, fish, and explore. His love of Courtney Butte led him to earn a certificate as a Master Woodland Manager. He loved improving the place and sharing his knowledge with family, friends, and visitors.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, mother and three siblings. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marjorie, his sister Deloris, his three sons, Mark, Paul, and John, as well as seven grandchildren and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. He is greatly missed, and we are comforted in knowing he was at peace in his last days surrounded by family. Between Gene’s sons and grandchildren, Marge will never be alone.

On September 7, 2024, a mass will be held in his memory at St. Katherine Catholic Church at 11 am and military honors and a celebration of life will be held at the Enterprise VFW Hall at 4pm

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