Eugene "Gene" Wilfred Mann

A public link to the live-stream of Eugene’s service will be available here soon: View Funeral Webcast

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lutheran Social Services - Luverne Meals on Wheels or Quiet Oaks Hospice House.

EUGENE WILFRED MANN was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, and friend. He was born on November 12, 1932, to Harry Wilhelm and Auguste (fondly known as Hattie) Hedwig (Beyer) Mann in Luverne, Minnesota. Eugene was baptized on November 20, 1932, and confirmed on July 6, 1947, both at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne.

In his youth, he was involved with Future Farmers of America and 4-H. He received honors as a 4-H champion livestock judge at the Minnesota State Fair. Eugene attended Rural District School #12 through the 8th grade and graduated from Luverne High School in 1950. On December 27, 1953, Eugene married his long-time sweetheart, Arlene Burmeister, at St. John Lutheran Church.

Eugene served in the United States Army from 1953-1955, where he established friendships that he maintained throughout his life. He went into the army on Valentine’s Day in 1953 and completed basic training in Fort Gordon, Georgia. From there, he was sent to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where he specialized in communications (teletype machine and radio repair). Arlene joined him in New Jersey after they were married in December 1953. When his mother died in the spring of 1954, Eugene received an extended leave and was not sent overseas to the Korean War. He spent the rest of his service at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. At the Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois, the first of their five children was born in January 1955.

After his discharge from the army, Eugene and Arlene returned to the Luverne area where they began farming and raised their children. Although Eugene never expected to go into farming, he ended up on the same farm where he grew up. He said it turned out to be the perfect place for his children to grow up, and it’s where they learned to work hard and take care of each other. In 1966, Eugene also began working for the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier, which he did for 32 years while continuing to farm.

Eugene’s faith was a foundation for how he lived his life. He made time to teach Sunday School and to help out family and friends. From the time his children were little, Eugene would write and share an annual Christmas message – a tradition he carried on well into his retirement years.

In 1982, the couple retired from farming and moved into Luverne. From 1997-2012 Eugene was employed with Glen’s Food and Fuel. Although Eugene and Arlene often talked about taking a trip to Hawaii, they found happiness traveling around in their camper and taking cross-country visits to their children.

Eugene became a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne in December 1996. Over his lifetime, he served the church in a variety of capacities: Congregational President, Elder, Deacon, Christian Education Board Member, and Sunday School teacher. Eugene also enjoyed helping out as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. One of his hobbies was feeding and watching birds.

In 2014, Eugene and Arlene became residents of Bethany Meadows in Brandon, South Dakota. At Bethany Meadows, his love for Arlene continued to grow, and they would tenderly take care of each other until she passed in November 2017. Eugene joined Arlene in their heavenly home on Sunday, October 25, 2020 at the Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta, Minnesota at the age of 87 years, 11 months, and 13 days.

Whenever Eugene would talk about the moments that touched his heart, he would say, “Memories – they go with you wherever you are.”

Eugene is lovingly remembered by his children: Belinda (Daniel) Kroska of St. Joseph, Minnesota, Brian (Patty) Mann of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Brenda Mann Harrison of Snohomish, Washington, Bryce (Stacey) Mann of Lewes, Delaware, and Benita (Scott) Dingman of Bemidji, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren: Josh Mann, Eric Mann, Angi Pense, Shari Gilbert, Elizabeth Harrison DeVivi, Leah Naccarato, Blake Mann, Brynn Mann, Bryan Mann, Alexis Burger, Victoria Burger, Ryan Dingman and Mya Dingman Totzauer; and 8 great-grandchildren: Iris Mann, Gemma Mann, Max Mann, Logan Mann, Josiah Totzauer, Jemi Totzauer, Eleanor Naccarato, and Archer DeVivi. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene, and his brothers and their spouses: Robert (Alice) Mann and Virgil (Elaine) Mann.