Eugene Kaplan

Eugene F. Kaplan, age 86, of Blooming Prairie, died March 18, 2018, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie. Friends may greet the family from 4:30 -7:00 PM Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Brick Meger Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the funeral at church. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 AM Thursday, March 22, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Litomysl, with interment at the church cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Blooming Prairie Honor Guard. Gene was born March 9, 1932, out on the family farm in Blooming Prairie Township, to parents John and Alice (Klecker) Kaplan. He graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1949. After high school he was drafted into the army. He served most of his time in Korea as a Military Policeman. After two years of service he was honorably discharged in 1954. He then returned to Blooming Prairie to work on the farm. He married DeAnn Resler at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in June of 1955. The two continued to farm until Gene retired after 50 years. Gene and DeAnn enjoyed traveling in retirement, visiting wonderful places such as Japan, Australia, Spain, Germany, and France. He enjoyed playing cards, listening to old time music, getting out and fishing, when he could, dancing, and most of all spending time with friends and family. He could also be seen supporting his grandchildren at their various sporting events. Gene served on the board of the local union creamery, and was a member of the Blooming Prairie V.F.W. He is survived by his wife, DeAnn, of 62 years; five children, Shelbie (Ed) O'Brien, Lakeville, Sherrie (Steve) Meixner, Moorhead, Jerry (Barb) Kaplan, Blooming Prairie, Gary (Linda) Kaplan, LaGrange, GA, Grant (Cathy) Kaplan, Medford; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Josh Jerney) O'Brien, Erin O'Brien, Kari (Adam) Wilson, Brad Meixner, Amanda (Paul) Booth, Nicole Kaplan, Joshua Kaplan, Christopher Kaplan, Jeremiah (Leah) Kaplan, Jacob (Dana) Kaplan, Jonathan Kaplan and 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, Myron Kaplan, Medford; and one sister, Arlene Sisler, Owatonna; sisters-in-law, Mary Kaplan, Owatonna and Karen Kaplan, Blooming Prairie and many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by, parents, one grandson, Eric Kaplan; brothers, Lawrence and Donald, sister, Evelyn Herron.