Eugene "Gene" Stueckrath

Funeral services for Gene Stueckrath age 87 of Plainview will be held Monday June, 3, 2013 at 2PM. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Plainview. Visitation for Gene will be from 6-8 PM. on Sunday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Plainview. Durial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery.
Gene Stueckrath passed away May 30, 2013 at the Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk.

Eugene “Gene” Stueckrath, Eugene Herman Stueckrath was born February 11, 1926 to Louie and Ida (Kruger) Stueckrath in Norfolk, NE. He was the oldest of nine children, with eight boys and one girl respectively. He was confirmed with four of his brothers on March 30, 1947 at the Eden Valley Lutheran Church in rural Plainview. He attended country school through eighth grade in the Randolph area, and went on to farm with his family where he honed his skills at farming and raising chickens, hogs and cattle.

He was drafted into the Army in 1945 during WWII, serving in France. The war ended soon after, and he was honorably discharged in 1947, returning to Nebraska.

He met Lois Ann Blunck at a dance with the “thrashing crew” and married her June 10, 1951. Their first farm home was located northwest of Osmond, the next three were in the Plainview area where they raised their children. Nyla is the oldest of his daughters, residing in Norfolk. Next is Julie (Gale) Hamilton of Fremont, Pam (Doug) Coulter of O’Neill, and Lori (Roy) Gerlits of Centennial, CO.

Farming was his life! Planting, harvesting and caring for livestock consumed his days. He enjoyed many waltzes and polkas through the years. He liked to bowl, throw horseshoes, and attend sporting events and activities of his daughters and grandkids. A card game of pitch or rummy could often be found at a table with him. Gene was on the Rural Fire Board; the finance committee at Zion Lutheran Church where he also served as an elder; and a veteran member of the Plainview American Legion. He retired from farming in 1992, but remained on the farm several years. The past few years, Gene enjoyed life in town, coffee at the local shop, and especially driving country roads to see how crops were doing on his land as well for the many neighbors and friends.

He is survived by other family members including: four grandchildren - Melanie (Tim) Worstell of Norfolk, Derek (Anne) Coulter of Omaha, Brett (Shawna) Hamilton of Nevada, IA, and Alex Hamilton of Fremont; one great-granddaughter - Emma Hamilton of Nevada, IA; siblings - Willis “Butch” (Norma) of Randolph; Alfred “Rog” (DonaRene) of Omaha; Dennis “Dick” (Jeannine) of Norfolk; Carol (Wayne) Segulia of Prior Lake, MN; Dorean Stueckrath of Plainview and many nieces, nephews and extended relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Ida; brothers Donald, Norman, Lou Jr, and John “Jack”.

We celebrate his life and all that he was for more than 87 years. He will be missed.