Gene Andersen Obituary

Gene Leslie Andersen, 71, passed away at his home near Dagmar, MT, Friday morning, January 3, 2020. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. CST at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grenora, ND.

Gene was born in Williston, ND on December 7, 1948, to Marjorie and Leslie Andersen. He grew up on the original Andersen family farm near Dagmar, MT with his sister Joanne. He attended Hiawatha Elementary School and graduated from Medicine Lake High School in 1966. He went on to college in Billings and Havre, MT. He received his architectural drafting degree in Wahpeton, ND. Following that, he served 7 years in the Army National Guard.
Gene married Geralyn Sneva on August 15, 1970 in Grenora, ND. After they were married, they lived in Miles City, MT where he worked at Midland Lumber, drawing and estimating house plans. In 1972, they moved to Plentywood, MT where Gene worked for C & D Lumber. Then onto Tioga, ND where he worked for Bethlehem Steel. In the spring of 1973, he had the opportunity to go into farming, working for his uncle Delmar until 1979, when they purchased the farm and he designed and built the farmhouse still there today. This is where they made their home and raised their 3 children Brent, Kerby, and Ashley.
Gene found his calling going into the family business of farming. He and his dad farmed together for many years until he passed away in 1990. In 2000, he and his son Kerby began farming together. As most farmers are, he was keenly aware of the weather. When not in the field, he and Geri drove around checking the crops and hoping for moisture when necessary. He spent many years working closely with Les Jensen, who was just like a brother to him, as well as Roger Manger the last few years.

Gene’s love of baseball led him to the love of his life, Geri. In his younger years, he played with the Big Muddy League in Dagmar, MT and Babe Ruth and Legion in Grenora, ND which is where he met Geri. He also brought his passion of this game to many great players coaching Little League in Dagmar, MT as well as Babe Ruth and Legion baseball in Grenora, ND.
As a man of the land, Gene also loved hunting and fishing. Over the years he took many hunting trips to western Montana with great friends. Each year, pheasant and deer hunting were high priorities as well as many fishing trips with the family and friends. So many great memories were made from these trips, and he often talked about how much he enjoyed them.

Gene’s family was always a priority. While he didn’t want to venture too far from the farm, he attended the kid’s activities whenever he could. Over the last 13 years, he got to know and love his grandchildren Adler, Aslyn, and Ashton, who brought great joy to him.
Gene gave back to the community through coaching baseball and many other ways. He volunteered anytime there was a community event, and he also served on several Boards of Directors including the Hiawatha School Board and Prairie States Co-op in Zahl, ND. Gene and Geri also helped their son Kerby with the Centennial Bar when he purchased it and really enjoyed helping him get started.
Gene’s life changed drastically in 2009. First, when Geri suffered a stroke and then a few months later when his son Kerby passed away. He was a great caretaker for Geri for 7 years and did an amazing job, suddenly balancing farm work with household work. In all that time he never once complained about the cards life dealt him. He missed her dearly when she passed away in 2017 and we know he was ready to meet her again in Heaven on January 3, along with Kerby and many other family and friends.
Gene is survived by his sister Joanne Andersen of Eagan, MN; son Brent Andersen (Dean Miller) of Minnetonka, MN; daughter Ashley (Adam) Engh of Williston, ND, his three grandchildren Adler, Aslyn, and Ashton Engh; daughter-in-law Heather Andersen of Grenora, ND; sister-in-law Cleo (Alton) Nygaard of Des Lacs, ND; his niece Niki Brose and nephews Kyle, Jared, and Colin Nygaard and their families. Many other dear friends and extended family who were touched by Gene survive as well.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Geri, son Kerby, parents Leslie and Marjorie Andersen, mother and father-in-law Engwald and Marjorie Sneva and many other beloved family and friends.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Farm Rescue who have helped many families, including our own, in times of need.