Eugene Eischens

Eugene “Gene” James Eischens Sr., age 82, of Ponsford, MN, passed away Saturday, November 6, 2010 at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, November 11, 2010 at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Ponsford, MN. Visitation will be held at 5:00 PM, Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the Old Pine Point School in Ponsford until 10:00 AM. Thursday. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Funeral arrangements are by David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, MN.

Gene was born November 3, 1928 to John and Cecelia (Schmidt) Eischens in Two Inlets, MN. He was the fourth of eleven children. He grew up and attended country school in Two Inlets through the 8 ^th grade. Following his schooling, he stayed at home and helped his dad with the family dairy farm. He enlisted in the United States Navy on December 28, 1945 and served in San Diego, CA. Following his honorable discharge in 1947, Gene found work in the mines of Indiana where he worked for awhile before making his way to the Iron Range in Minnesota where he mined for a time. Gene was united in marriage to Florence Ortley on April 1, 1959 in Detroit Lakes, MN. This union was blessed with five children: David, Lori, Eugene Jr., Renee and Tanya. The family made their home in Minneapolis, MN where Gene gained employment at Cedar Avenue Standard where he worked as a mechanic until 1974. The family then moved to Park Rapids, MN where Gene took a job at Ness Motors until his retirement in 1975. Following his retirement, Gene enjoyed anytime he could be hunting, fishing the area lakes, or gopher trapping with his grandson, Damian, who he taught the skill to. He also enjoyed playing his video poker game, watching court TV and visiting with family and friends.

Gene is survived by his wife, Florence of Ponsford; eight children: Janice Parsons of Post Falls, ID, Richard Eischens of Kirkland, WA, Mary Benham of Kent WA, David (BobbiJo) of White Earth, Lori (Gerald) Adams of Ponsford, Eugene Jr. (Valerie) of Ponsford, Renee (Steve) Bloom of Park Rapids and Tanya (Ed) Eischens of Ponsford; 27 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; two brothers; John (Jane) Eischens of Chaska, MN, and Bill (Mary Ann) Eischens of Park Rapids, MN. and  five sisters; Mary Lou Major of Security, CO., Irene Williams, Colorado, LaVonne Hickson of St. Paul, MN., Carol (Jeff) Trenholm of Oklahoma and Deloris Eckstrom of St. Paul, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents; John and Cecelia, one brother; two sisters, two granddaughters; DaVonne and Allison and two grandsons; Greg and Robbie.