Eugene Scherer

Eugene C. Scherer, 89, Bismarck, passed away Jan. 13, 2019, at a long-term care facility near his daughter in Arvada, Colo. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck with a visitation starting one hour prior to the service.

Eugene was born to Clarence Scherer and Herta (Ziegler) Scherer in New Salem Feb. 28, 1929. He grew up in Center on his grandparents' farm. In 1943, at the age of 14, he joined his parents in Pasco, Wash., where he worked picking cherries at a fruit packing plant. The family returned to Center later that year.

In June 1944, Gene moved with his parents to Bismarck and on that same day was employed by Quanrud Brink & Reibold Inc., an auto parts firm. In 1951, Gene joined the Army National Guard and served his country proudly for 16 years. In 1952, QB & R sent him to the Ordnance Machinist School in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. A year later, he moved to Dickinson where he became manager of QB & R.

On Feb. 14, 1956, Gene married Patricia R. Dowell. Together they raised four children. In 1966, he resigned from QB & R and worked for Gene Fischer to organize an industrial parts firm named Weskota, Inc.

In 1967, John Quanrud convinced Gene to return to QB & R and he moved his family to Bismarck and accepted the position of sales manager. In that same year the company was sold to Hedahl Motor Supply Co.

Gene worked in the automotive business for 47 years, and wrote several automotive books, retiring in 1991 at age 62. He also wrote and published a genealogy book, which is now part of the University of North Dakota library. Gene traveled throughout the U.S., and twice to Germany, for his genealogical research. He was a collector of dairy antiques, which have been donated to Oliver County.

Gene was one of the first members of Faith Lutheran Church. Services were held in the Bernstein Building on Main Street, and then the little church on the corner of Seventh Street and Avenue C. The church bought property at 14th and Avenue C where a frame structure was moved to that location.

Pat and Gene divorced in 1983 but the two remained friends. His love for Pat never escaped his mind and the two were planning to remarry. God had His own plan and took Pat "home" April 12, 1996.

Gene is survived by his children, Rick (Randi) Scherer, Wyoming; Brenda (Bob) Sicble, North Dakota; Kevin (Sandy) Scherer, Montana; Kelli (Brett) Haselden, Colorado; five grandchildren, Tessa Sicble, Brooke Sicble, Jesse Scherer, Jaime Scherer, Jacob Scherer; and two great-grandchildren: Clayton Sicble and Harper Sicble.

His many auction friends and "the boys" know him better as "98." Gene was loved and will be dearly missed.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bismarckfuneralhome.com.

(Bismarck Funeral Home)