Gene Welle

Gene Welle

Gene W. Welle, 82, Bismarck, died Nov. 11, 2006, at a local hospital. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Church of St. Mary's, Bismarck, with the Rev. Bruce Krebs officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan. Military rites provided by VFW Post 1326.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. today at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a vigil will be held at 7 p.m., with Randy Frohlich presiding.

Gene William Welle was born Sept. 18, 1924, in Waubun, Minn., the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Welle. Gene grew up farming in Waubun, Minn. He served our country in Japan during World War II and the Korean conflict. Sept. 13, 1952, Gene married Elaine Hanson in Moorhead, Minn.

In 1962, the family moved to Bismarck. Gene owned and operated Gene Welle Construction from 1952 until 1977, when he retired at the age of 54. Gene was a member of the Church of St. Mary's, Knights of Columbus, Elks, Amvets, Eagles and was a life member of VFW.

His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, wood-working, traveling, cards and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a special man, a spirited fun-loving prankster who was seldom seen sitting still.

Gene gave his children the gift of life and then set the example of how to live it. He was the most incredible husband, father and friend a person could ever know and will always be missed and never forgotten. He was our original iron-man.

Gene is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elaine; his children, Gene A. Welle, Bismarck, Cindy (Ed) Steidler, Mesa, Ariz., Bob (Amy) Welle, Parker, Colo., Richard (Cheryl) Welle, Gastonia, N.C., Carla (Glen) Keller, Fargo, and Renee Welle, Bismarck; his grandchildren, Jodie and Travis Welle, Victoria and Bryce Steidler, Amber Welle, Alex, Madison, Hayden and Landon Welle and Gene, April and Tallen Keller; his great-grandchildren, Dalton Welle and Jacksen Welle; his two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Edwin (Lorraine), Detroit Lakes, Minn., Raymond (Dorothy), Nevis, Minn., and Shirley Welle, Mahnoman, Minn.; his sister and brother-in-law, Marie (Ray) Eickstadt, Mead, Wash.; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend, Orville Gable, Bismarck.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Art and Harvey.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Gene and sign the online guestbook.