Eugene H. Quackenbush

Gene Quackenbush, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend, was born in Pequot Lakes, MN on December 27, 1941, and passed away on June 2, 2025 at the age of 83.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Sandy, their four daughters - Jolene Boumeester, Patty (Kevin) Ellison, Tracy (David) Stamper, and Amy Quackenbush, 13 grandchildren - Matthew (Julia) Boumeester and Zachary Boumeester, Ryan (Tonya) Ellison, Kyle (Jaclynn) Ellison, and Kaitlyn Ellison, Cody Weber, Dakota Weber, Cheyanne (Keith) Brewer, and Jake Devericks, Bailey Dusterhoft, Brianna Dusterhoft, Brooklyn Melton and Brylee Melton, and 15 great grandchildren/step-great grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.

Gene was the ultimate family man. He and Sandy were married just shy of 65 years. They met and married as teenagers and together raised a family they were proud of and loved to spend time with.

An especially dear memory to the family, cabin vacations "up North" in Minnesota were something all looked forward to and enjoyed. In the evening, everyone gathered around the campfire as Gene, Amy and even a few of the grandchildren sang and played music. During the day, swimming, playing cards and just spending time together was the focus. Many wonderful memories were made.

As an adult, Gene taught himself to play the fiddle and the guitar. Later, his buddy, Walt, taught him how to repair violins, too. Soon after, collecting and selling violins became his passion. Playing music and singing with family and friends was his favorite hobby. He passed that love of music down to his family. With music being so important to him, he enjoyed entertaining residents at nursing homes. Other hobbies included golf, playing cards, gardening, bird watching and working on vintage cars. But by far, his favorite thing to do was spend time with family. He adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren and they so looked forward to their time with grandpa/peepaw and grandma/meemaw. Gene was always willing to lend a hand, too, to both family and friends. He could always be counted on to help.

Gene worked for Armour-Dial Corporation for 30 years and for Northwest Airlines for close to 14 more. Always a hard worker, he would grab as much overtime as possible to ensure the best life for his family, only retiring when acute illness prevented him from standing long enough to do his job.

Gene was a jokester/prankster and enjoyed making people laugh. This created many fun memories for his kids and grandkids.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Gladys and 4 siblings, Ida, Alvina, Darlene and Albert, his parents in-law Bob and Jackie Schmitz, brother in-law Greg Nelson and many close friends. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his sister, Ernestine, and sisters in-law, Mary Jo (Mike) Alexander, Sue Nelson, and Bobbie (Richard) Barnes, as well as many nieces and nephews, his former son in-law, John Boumeester, and his dear friends Jim and Geri Printy and old buddy, Ray Hernandez.

Gene's legacy is his love for family and friends. He was a man of integrity, kindness and unwavering support for family and friends. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered.