Eugene D. "Gene" McDonough

Eugene "Gene" McDonough, age 87 of Glenwood, died peacefully surrounded by his family at home on Saturday, May 17, 2025. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 20th at 2:00 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood with Pastor Katrina Hoffman officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery in Brooten. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.
Eugene David McDonough, the son of James and Lila (Holtberg) McDonough, was born May 21, 1937 at home in Belgrade, Minnesota. He was the third of four children. Gene attended school through the 8th grade and then helped his parents on the family farm. He then joined the U.S. Army in May, 1954 as a corporal stationed in Dachau, Germany. Gene was honorably discharged in May, 1957. He married Elizabeth Legler from Germany in 1957 and they parted ways in 1958. From their union, they shared one daughter.
Upon returning to the states, Gene worked welding jobs in South Minneapolis and Columbia Heights. He was united in marriage to Marlys Clausen on November 28, 1959. They lived in Minneapolis, Georgeville and Brooten before finally settling down on the dairy farm in Glenwood in 1971 where they raised their four children. In between the dairy and grain farming operation, Gene hauled cattle for the Belgrade Livestock Market every Thursday. His passions were his cows and going to auctions. In late 2011, Gene suffered from a stroke that left him wheelchair bound. He continued to stay on the farm raising a few beef cattle and was able to watch them from the window or go outside and cruise around on his scooter.
Gene is survived by his children, Regina McDonough of Eagan, Debra McDonough of Bloomington, Dan and Lisa McDonough of Belgrade, DeAnna and Merf Andersen of Terrace, eight grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, his brother, James McDonough and brother in law, Elmo (Puring) Clausen and several nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marlys of 55 years, one sister, Bonnie Zavadil and one brother, Jerry McDonough.
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