Eugene "Gene" Vetsch

1937 - 2024

Eugene "Gene" H. Vetsch, 87, of Little Falls, passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at St. Cloud Hospital.

Visitation held at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30. Parish prayers and recitation of the rosary held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continued at St. James Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 31, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:30 a.m. with Father Jimmy Joseph officiating. Interment following at St. James Catholic Cemetery.

Eugene "Gene" Henry Vetsch was born January 14, 1937 at his home in Otsego Township to Jacob and Regina (Barthel) Vetsch. He was the youngest of nine children and attended school in Albertville. After school, he did construction work in the Twin Cities and worked at Federal Cartridge. He loved watching and cheering on the Minneapolis Lakers and playing amateur baseball. In July of 1963, he married the love of his life, Barbara Morinville. In 1968, they purchased a farm between Little Falls and Randall area. They moved up north in the spring of 1969. They raised seven children while dairy farming and cared for his aging father for 12 years.

Most of his life, Eugene loved farming and a good joke. He loved working with the animals, planting and harvesting crops, and enjoyed the outdoors. In addition to farming, he enjoyed fishing, cheering on the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, playing cards, going to the casino, taking day trips to State Parks, and the Minnesota State Fair. He had a very quick wit and dry sense of humor, always ready with the "dad jokes." His Catholic faith was very important to him and was a long-time member of St. James Catholic Church in Randall. His smile will live on in the minds and hearts of all his loved ones.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara; sons, Leon (Becky), Vernon (Lynn), Jay (Cindy), Michael, Wayne (Kendra) Vetsch; daughters, Julene (Harold) Ley, Gina (Jon) Vetter; 21 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Regina Vetsch; grandson, Bryan Vetter; great granddaughter, Faith Vetsch; brothers, Alvin, Harold, Ammon, Arnold, and Cletus Vetsch; sisters, Bernadette Barthel, Anita Roden, and Beatrice Doroff; in addition to many in laws, nieces, and nephews.

Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Eugene.