Eugene 'Gene' R. Genz Obit

EUGENE "GENE" R. GENZ, 78, of Emily, passed away peacefully on Feb. 2, 2023 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Gene was born on Feb. 16, 1944 in Minneapolis, to Alfred and Mabelle (Peterson) Genz and he was the eldest of six children.  The family moved to Milaca where Gene graduated at the top of his class.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1972.   On Aug. 30, 1974, he married Patricia “Pat” Fendrick in St. Paul. They bought their first house in Crosby and moved to Emily in 1975, where they spent the remainder of his life.   Gene drove fuel tankers for over 40 years for Wayne Transport and Cummings Oil, until he finally agreed to retire at the age of 68.  However, he wasn’t quite ready to retire just yet, so he worked for a few more years with his son, Chad, driving roll-off truck for Emily Rolloff.   Gene was a proud retired firefighter for the Emily Volunteer Fire Department with over 38 years of service. Gene loved to hunt, fish and garden and he shared that passion with his friends, his wife Pat, his sons and his grandchildren.  Gene was known and loved by many.  He will be greatly missed by his family and far too many friends to count.   Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Mabelle Genz; sister, Shirley (Genz) Sipper; sister-in-law, Brecky (Wieland) Genz. Gene is survived by his wife, Pat; two sons and daughters-in-law, Chad and Kami Genz and Craig and Mindi  Genz; four grandchildren, Charlee and Cooper, Hope and Aric; brothers and sister-in-law, Darrel Genz and Howard and Lois Genz; sisters, Marjorie (Joe Kiesling) Pekula, Nancy and Jim Lucas; brother-in-law, Jim Sipper and nine nieces and nephews. A celebration of life for friends and family will be held on Saturday, June 10 from noon to 3 p.m. at the park behind the Emily Fire Hall.   Arrangements are through Koop Funeral Home of Crosby.