Gene Fenske, age 80, of Huron, SD, formerly of Woonsocket, SD, died Friday, March 7, 2014, at SunQuest Healthcare Center. His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church with burial at Riverside Cemetery with military honors. Visitation with family present will be Tuesday, March 11, from 6-8 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home; or Wednesday morning one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Eugene Ernest Fenske, the son of Ernest and Christina (Jerke) Fenske, was born on July 10, 1933, in Beadle County, SD, and was raised on the family farm, 1½ miles east of Hwy 37/Alpena Corner. He was baptized in 1933 and confirmed in 1947 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Huron, SD. Eugene attended the Hegg Country School through the 8th grade. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on March 7, 1953, and was honorably discharged on March 7, 1957. Eugene married Virginia "Gin" (Walz) on May 20, 1953, at Pipestone, MN. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May of 2013. During their married years they resided in Wichita Falls, TX, Moses Lake WA, Ephrata, WA, (where they were charter members of Our Savior Lutheran Church), and rural Woonsocket, SD. They moved to Huron in April of 2010. Along with taking care of Gin for 50+ years, Eugene farmed and worked at the UBC in Huron, road construction, and American Potato Company in Washington, and in retirement he cut hay, raised cattle and worked at the Huron Medical Clinic as a handy man. Along with attending church and Bible Study regularly, he served on the Finance Board and held offices in AAL/Thrivent. Eugene enjoyed visiting with people in their homes, traveling, eating out, and playing dominoes, especially with Gin, grandchildren, and in-laws. Survivors include his wife, Virginia; daughter, Pamala (David) Zirpel of Sioux City, IA); 4 grandchildren, Christopher Houlihan (fiancé Megan), Christina Zirpel, Caleb Zirpel, & Zac Zirpel; 3 great-grandchildren, Tylor Houlihan, Evan Houlihan, and Kyler Zirpel; in-laws, Clea and Clara Heisel, Ivan and Tilly Walz, Darlene Baltzer, Gene and Donna VanDiepen; nieces nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, Ernest (1989) & Christina (2000); son, Gregory (1989); brother, Ervin (1993); in-laws, Cleone Fenske and Neda Fenske, Oscar Baltzer, Clarence & Helen Walz, and Edwin & Bernie Walz. "Blessed Are The Dead Who Die In The Name Of The Lord"