Gene Ness

Gene Nelson Ness, age 90, of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, July 3, 2011, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, surrounded by his family. Gene was born on May 6, 1921 in Boyd, MN the son of Bennie and Jesse (Nelson) Ness. He grew up and attended school in Boyd graduating with the High School Class of 1939. During WWII he served in the Coast Guard on the USS Milledgeville, a patrol frigate. The ship’s initial patrol began from the Charleston Navy Shipyard to New Foundland. Later they patrolled the coasts of Argentina, Trinidad and the port of Recife, Brazil. He was a member of the HOT SHOTS rowing team of Curtis Bay, MD during boot camp. During his service Gene was authorized to wear ribbons for the American Theatre, European-African-Middle Eastern and Coast Guard good conduct. Following his discharge Gene worked as an Alaskan Game Warden before returning to Minnesota. On June 18, 1953 he married Lillian Cecelia Chilson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota where they resided. For many years he worked for Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance retiring in 1986. Throughout his life Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting fishing tackle and playing cards. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the Elks Club and the local VFW. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald, and his wife Lillian in January of ’05. Gene is survived by his children; Pamela Ness (Jim Myhre) of Fergus Falls, Candy Bourassa of Moorhead, Tammy (Steve) Neumann of Yankton, SD, and Tim (Enid) Ness of Fergus Falls, six grandchildren: David Ness, Stacy Bourassa, Amy (Ryan) Rentz, Matthew Bourassa, and Luke and Cole Neumann; two great grandchildren: Alexis Bourassa and Justine Rentz; as well as a sister Phyllis Smogard of Edina, MN. Visitation: Wednesday evening from 5-7 with Prayers at 7:00 at the Olson Funeral Home Service: Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Officiant: Reverend Kate Bruns Burial: Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls