Eugene Dennis

FUNERAL SERVICES : Funeral services were held at 11:00 P.M. on Monday, January 25, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with Reverend Fred Brown officiating. VISITATION :Sunday, January 24, 2010 from 3-6:00p.m. at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, Minnesota.INTERMENT :Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, MinnesotaSURVIVORS :Gene will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Lola; his sister, Louise Safratowich of Park Rapids as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. EUGENE F. "Gene" DENNIS February 12, 1928 " January 21, 2010 Eugene F. "Gene" Dennis, age 81, a life long resident of the Park Rapids, MN area passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids. Gene was born on February 12, 1928 in Park Rapids to Clyde and Theresa (Schmid) Dennis. He attended the Sand Lake Country School through the eighth grade and then went on to attend the Park Rapids High School from where he graduated with the Class of 1946. As a young man, Gene drove truck hauling logs for Earl Kimball who operated a sawmill in Park Rapids. In November of 1950, Gene was inducted into the United States Army, during the Korean War, where he earned the rank of Sergeant in Company A of the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion building floating bridges. In October of 1952, Gene was honorably discharged from active service but served as a member of the Army Reserve until 1956. Shortly after his return home from the service, Gene met Lola Larsen of Park Rapids. The young couple fell in love and were married on May 10, 1954 in Fargo, North Dakota. Shortly thereafter, Gene began working again for Chester Kimball in Park Rapids as a heavy equipment operator. During his 15 year career running caterpillars and other heavy equipment, Gene"s expertise as an operator did not go unnoticed as he was often requested to do land clearing work for many clients including the Blandin Corporation. Gene was also asked to demonstrate new equipment for the W.H. Ziegler Caterpillar Co. In 1969, Gene began running Chester Kimball"s machine shop in Park Rapids. Gene purchased the shop following Chester"s death in 1979, which he owned and operated until his retirement on September 1, 1994. Gene enjoyed the challenges of machine shop work. He was gifted in engineering many complicated metal fabrication projects and kept himself abreast of new technology in the industry. Gene was a skilled fisherman who loved to wet a line in pursuit of walleye, northern pike, brook and brown trout and even a few muskies. Over his lifetime, he acquired a great deal of knowledge of the area lakes and knew where their hot fishing spots were. Gene also enjoyed fishing in Canada and on Lake Huron. Each spring, he looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden that he would nurture into fruitful abundance. His green thumb also extended to raising tasty raspberries by the bucket full. Even while Gene was well up into his late 70"s, he would work up the firewood needed to heat his home each year. He felt responsible for being a good steward of his forests and keeping them vibrant and healthy. Gene was a long time member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 in Park Rapids and the Park Rapids Darkhouse and Angling Club. Above all, Gene devoted his life to his precious wife and soulmate, Lola for the past 56 years. Gene will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Lola; his sister, Louise Safratowich of Park Rapids as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Ray, Gordon and Lyle; one sister, Mary Cumber and one nephew, Duaine Cumber. Funeral services were held at 11:00 P.M. on Monday, January 25, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with Reverend Fred Brown officiating. To leave online condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.