Etienne "Gene" Thooft

Etienne Rene “E.R.” “Gene” Thooft was born May 14, 1930 to Ernest Joseph and Marie Virginia (Dobbelaere) Thooft in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, near Arco, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent, Minnesota. He grew up on the farm and attended 8 years of country school District #61 in Island Lake Township, Lyon County, near Lynd, Minnesota. In 1952, Gene was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and served in the Special Service Corps Group, a 47-man singing group. He was stationed in Japan and was honorably discharged in 1954. Following service, he returned to Lyon County to help on the farm.

Gene was united in marriage to Agnes Anna Lanoue on February 9, 1955 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Milroy, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with eleven children and 65 years of life together before Agnes passed in 2020. The couple farmed in Island Lake Township, Section 30, where they raised their family. In 1993, Gene and Agnes retired and moved to Tyler, Minnesota. In August 2023, he moved to Lakeview Senior Living in Balaton, Minnesota, where on Saturday, May 3, 2025, he passed away peacefully at the age of 94 years, 11 months, and 20 days.

Gene was a member of St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler and served as an usher, sang in the choir, and was a member the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. While farming, Gene was also a seed corn salesperson. He volunteered many hours for Hospice, Meals on Wheels, Big Buddies, and the Tyler Senior Center. Gene was an avid gardener and enjoyed rolle bolle, 10-pin bowling, cards, and his three trips to Europe. He especially enjoyed time spent with family.

Gene is lovingly remembered by his children, Diane (Dan) Vercruysse of Tyler, Yvonne (Michael) Sontag of Minneota, Minnesota, John (Lorie) Thooft of Marshall, Minnesota, Duane (Judy) Thooft of Arco, Margaret Thooft of Rapid City, South Dakota, Bernard (Marcia) Thooft of Clay Center, Kansas, Francis (Sherry) Thooft of Beaver City, Nebraska, Daryl Thooft of Ghent, and Joyce (Keith) Louwagie of St. Joseph, Minnesota; 34 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Marion VanDenBroeke and Jeanette Lanoue; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes; two sons, Roger and infant Timothy; granddaughter, Brianna Thooft; grandson, Stephen Vercruysse; brothers, Amandus, Aime, Raymond and Ernest; and sisters, Emma DeLanghe, Mary Lanoue, Louise Ruud and infant Theresa Thooft.

Blessed be his memory.

"One Day at a Time"