Eugene Rudolph Battani

1933 - 2014

Eugene Rudolph Battani

Woodward

Eugene "Gene" R. Battani, 80, passed from this life on Friday, January 31, 2014 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. In agreement with his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. A funeral liturgy celebrating Gene's life will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, at Iles Westover Chapel in Des Moines. Committal services with military honors will follow at 11 a.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, in Adel.

Gene was born on April 1, 1933, in Des Moines, Iowa to Sasto D. and Margaret J. (Foster) Battani. He was a 1952 graduate of Dowling Catholic High School. For three years during the Korean Conflict, Gene was with the United States Marine Corps. After he was honorably discharged in 1955, Gene attended the Des Moines Police Academy (ILEA Approved). He broadened his education by attending the Area XI Community College (for criminal justice); the Delhanty Police Institutes, New York Police Department and later the Bureau of Narcotics, in New York. On March 21, 1963, Gene married the 'love of his life' Louise Hovey in Omaha, NE, and to this union, one daughter, Kristina Marie was born.

Gene began his law enforcement career with the Des Moines Police Department from 1956 to 1966, as a Police Patrolman. He also served with the Traffic Bureau and the Vice Bureau Tactical Patrol Unit. In 1967, he was employed with the Perry Police Department in Perry, IA. Then from 1968 to 1972, Gene was employed as a Special Agent with the Iowa Division of Narcotics, Department of Public Safety. He was assigned to Western Iowa and Des Moines. From 1972 to 1976, he was employed with the Polk County Sheriff's Department as a Detective Sergeant in charge of both Narcotic and Intelligence Unit; and Criminal Investigations. From 1976 to 1988, Gene was employed as an Investigator III with the Iowa Attorney General. He worked in both Consumer Protection and Area Prosecution Divisions. In August of 1988, Gene resigned his position with the Attorney General and began his private business, of which he sold in October of 1989. He was later employed with the Woodward Police Department in Woodward, IA and NPI Security. Gene was engaged in private investigations and eventually retired as an investigator from the former Woodward State Hospital.

A lifelong Iowa Hawkeye fan, Gene loved watching sports especially football. In his spare time, he enjoyed duck hunting and loved spending time with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of nearly 51 years, Louise Battani of Woodward; daughter, Kristina M. Battani of Woodward; one brother, Terry (Sandy) Battani of Des Moines; two sisters, Pam Monroe of Des Moines and Cherri (Leon) Praeuner of Olathe, KS; and four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded into eternal life by his parents; and one brother, Larry Battani.

The family has respectfully requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Eugene R. Battani Memorial Fund to be designated later. Online condolences may be sent to IlesCares.com.