Eugene Dasher

Eugene Dasher, 78, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and his dearly missed wife on February 7.

Gene was born on February 13, 1946, to Otis and Anna Pearl Dasher in Savannah, Georgia. 

He was a proud veteran, serving in the Air Force from 1965 to 1970, the National Guard from 1973 to 1991, and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1992 to 1997. He met his tiny but mighty bride-to-be, Julie VanGuilder, on a blind date while stationed with the Air Force in Duluth, MN. They were married on June 7, 1969, before moving to Germany with the Air Force.  

Gene was a good and faithful man. He worked hard, enjoyed a quiet life, had a classic dad-joke sense of humor, and a thundering laugh. He could not imagine life without Julie. He was a kind and devoted father to their two boys, Brian and Eric. He did all the dad things-read the newspaper after work, watched TV, taught them to ride a bike and throw a ball, took them to all the "Star Wars" movies, teased them about girls, and attended all their events. He welcomed his growing family with love, embracing daughters-in-law, the laughter of eight grandchildren, and the delight of two great-grandchildren.

Gene provided for his family by working many years in Duluth at Diamond Tool, taking on odd jobs during strikes. When Diamond Tool closed, he became a truck driver for Koch Trucking.

After many years in Duluth, Gene and Julie moved in 2012 to Eau Claire, WI, to be closer to family. He enjoyed his retirement working part-time at Sears, studying genealogy, woodworking, watching old television shows, and attending his grandkids' sporting events and band concerts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Anna Pearl Dasher, and his beloved wife, Julie (VanGuilder) Dasher.

He is survived by his sons, Brian (Julie) Dasher and Eric (Rebecca) Dasher; grandchildren, Ethan (Elizabeth Lancaster), Emily (Andrew) Elmquist, Brandon Dasher, Katie (Seth) Kooiker, Kaylee Dasher, Joseph Dasher, Grant Dasher, and Luisa Dasher; great-grandchildren, James Elmquist and Levi Kooiker; brother, William Dasher; and sister, Elizabeth Miles. He is also survived by a loving family of in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

A service to celebrate Gene's life will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, February 13 at Stokes, Prock, and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Rest Haven Cemetery, Town of Washington. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 53.

Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at stokesprockandmundt.com.