Eugene "Gene" F. Labs

Eugene "Gene" F. Labs, age 72, Browns Valley, MN, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in his home.

Funeral services will be Sunday, March 11, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley with Rev. Larry Johnson officiating. Music will be provided by organist Ginny Westbrock, and the vocalists will be the Jung girls and Todd Johnson.

Burial will be at a later date in the Midway Cemetery, Beardsley, MN. Urn bearers will be granddaughters, Ara and Ella Anderson.

Visitation will be Sunday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Eugene Frederick Labs was born October 19, 1945, to Frederick August and Agnes Edna (Oletzke) Labs in Graceville, MN. He was baptized November 4, 1945, and confirmed June 28, 1959, at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley. Gene attended school in Browns Valley, graduating from Browns Valley High School in 1964.

On June 19, 1965, Gene married the love of his life, Betti Jeanne Peterson, at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley. After their marriage, Gene owned and operated the Traverse Resort and the Open Seasons Art Gallery. They had one daughter, Lea, who as a young girl was her daddy's little sidekick. Gene thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren. Brent was Gene's best hunting and fishing buddy. Gene loved spending time playing cards and storytelling with his granddaughters, Ara and Ella.

Gene enjoyed being in the outdoors, from fishing and trapping to hunting ducks, geese, deer, and turkey. He had so many hunting buddies it would be impossible to name them all, but you know who you are and how much you meant to Gene. He especially enjoyed his lifelong dream of going on an African Safari. Gene and Betti also loved going out with friends and dancing up a storm on Saturday nights.

Gene will be missed.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Betti Labs of Browns Valley; daughter, Lea (Aron) Anderson and two granddaughters, Ara and Ella of Brainerd, MN; one grandson, Brent (Kasey) Bigler of Florida, and Brent's dad Charles Bigler of St. Cloud, MN; sister, Darlys Kuschel of Browns Valley; and sister-in-law, Marlene Labs of Quincy, CA. Gene is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Agnes Labs; brother, Duane Labs; brothers-in-law, Edwin Kuschel, Dennis Peterson, and Larry Peterson; and sister-in-law, Delores Paulsen.