Eugene (Gene) Neil Mahr

Tuesday, August 2, 2016 1:27 pm

Eugene (Gene) Neil Mahr, 89, of Lime Springs Iowa died Friday July 29, 2016, in Cresco. Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at Notre Dame Parish, Cresco, with Father Dennis Cain officiating. Burial is in Calvary Cemetery, Cresco. Visitation is from 4 to 8 Sunday, July 31, at the Heritage Events Center 229 3rd Ave W. Cresco, with rosary at 3 and scripture services to follow. Visitation is also from 10 to 11 a.m. before the service at the church Monday, Aug 1. The Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Eugene was born Nov. 1, 1926, in Spring Grove, Minn. to Walter and Mayme (Schwartzhoff) Mahr. He attended school and was raised on the farm near Dorchester. There he met the love of his life, Juliet (Judy) Sollien, and they married July 21, 1947, at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester. To this union 11 children were born: Michael (Gwen) Mahr, Beverly (Dale) Alstat, Barbara (Bill Tieskotter) Mahr, John (Deby) Mahr, Thomas (Janet) Mahr, Neil (Janelle) Mahr,  Gregory (Joyce) Mahr, Donna (Kelly) Thomas, Marlene (Pat) Ollendieck, Sharlene (Don) Hruska, and Debra (Kirk) Novak.
Some of the many jobs Gene did over the years include farming, trucking, potato harvesting in the Dakotas, hauled milk, and worked in a cheese factory. In 1955 they moved from Dorchester to Van Horne, where they owned and operated a tavern and also purchased and operated a Case implement dealership. After selling the tavern and dealership he went to work for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids while they waited to gain possession of the 160 acre farm they purchased in Howard County Iowa near Lime Springs, which fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a farmer. He also drove a school bus for 11 years. His farming career included ownership of 1700-plus acres of cropland; he also raised cattle, hogs and took great pride in owning and raising Belgium horses. Giving wagon and sleigh rides and being in parades was a great joy in their life for several years. Collecting Case tractors was another passion they enjoyed together. They were Grand Marshalls of the Cresco Ag fest parade in 2002. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. After moving to Howard County, Eugene was a member and usher of Assumption Catholic Church.

Gene and Judy enjoyed traveling to 49 of the 50 states – they never made it to Maine.  They also traveled to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. They spent many winters in Bullhead City, Ariz., where many friendships were formed with other snowbirds. Gene’s greatest joy was spending time with Judy and his family.

He is survived by his wife Judy of 69 years and his 11 children, 34 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren with two on the way this fall; his brother Wally (Marriane) Mahr of Dorchester; and sisters-in-law Martha Rude and Lois Mahr; and many, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Bud, Joe and Ray; and sisters: Gen, Lou Mae, Maddy and Margie; and grandson Shawn Michael Mahr, in infancy.

He was greatly loved and will be dearly missed by so many.