Gene Kohl

Gene A. Kohl, age 89, Claire City, SD, passed away Monday, May 14, 2018, at Wheatcrest Hills in Britton, SD.

Funeral services will be Monday, May 21, at 2:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt with Rev. Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett officiating.

Private family burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Claire City.

Visitation will be Monday afternoon one hour prior to the service.

Gene Arlie Kohl was born April 28, 1929, to Harvey and Clara (Simon) Kohl, in Richland County, ND. He grew up on the Shady Lawn Angus Farm watching his father and grandfather raise Angus cattle and tilling the land. He attended school at Norway Township Schoolhouse No. 1 and graduated from Sisseton High School in 1946.

On February 6, 1952, Gene married Lois Medenwaldt in Hankinson, ND. Three children were born to this union, Robert Allen, Ronald Gene, and Sandra Jean. Gene and Lois settled near the family farm and named their farm Twin Acres Ranch. Gene continued to farm with his father, Harvey, as well as driving the school bus. Then his son, Ron, joined the operation in the 1970s. Ron continues to farm today with his daughter, Chelsea, and son-in-law, Justin, under the name of Kohl Farms, Inc. Gene was part of the operation until the 1990s when he semi-retired to work at Dakotah Pillow Factory and Dakota Magic Casino. In 2008, Gene moved to the Countryside Inn in Rosholt and in 2017 made his home at Wheatcrest Hills in Britton.

Gene was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church in rural Claire City. Gene enjoyed the color red, old cars and trucks, playing cards, and weekends out dancing. He especially enjoyed Halloween when he could dress up in his own fashion of Halloween "garb."

Gene is survived by his son, Ron (Janeen) Kohl of Claire City, daughter, Sandra Kohl of Claire City; mother-in-law, Judith Williams of Rogers, MN; granddaughters, Chelsea (Justin) Gaukler, and Keira Kohl both of Claire City; great-grandchildren, Mariah, Halle, Cody, and Camden Gaukler of Claire City; sister, Connie (Sam) Rudolph of Claire City; brother, Arlan (Carole) Kohl of Kalispell, MT; and several nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois in 2010; and son, Robert in 1988.