Struchen, Eugene 'Gene'

Eugene “Gene” Struchen, 91, of Marion, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, from an extended illness, with family by his side. Graveside services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military honors. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, is in charge of the arrangements.

Gene is survived by his wife of 70 years, Fern; his two children, Peggy Robison and Wayne (Barb) Struchen; grandchildren, Pam and Peter Elliff, Mark Wanerus, Yvette Clapp and Tracey (Mike) Struchen, six great-grandchildren; Jennie and Jessie, Emily, Garrett, Taylor and Braedon, his siblings, Donald Struchen, Mary and Kenny Kroeger, Jerry Struchen and Shirley and Dennie Marsh, brother-in-law, Paul Anderson; and sisters-in-law, Ruth Struchen and Catherine Fehr.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Norman; a sister, Carline Skallerup; a great-grandson, Tyler Peterson; and his buddy, Midnight.

Gene was born Aug. 11, 1920, to Carl and Harriet (Johnson) Struchen on a farm in Alburnett. He married Fern Tilton on Nov. 20, 1942, in Kahoka, Mo. He was a World War II veteran and a member of American Legion Post 298 for 66 years. He owned and operated Struchen's Marion Express and A-1 Hauling after years of being in the trucking business.

He was a member of the Marion Police Department and a volunteer fireman. He retired in 1976, then lived in Canada 10 years in a beautiful cabin he built.

His greatest joy in life was being with his family.

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Published June 1, 2012 in The Gazette