Gene W. Thomas

Gene William Thomas of Litchfield, Minnesota, died Friday, December 30, 2011, at the age of 69, at Meeker Memorial Hospital after a two-year battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, Minnesota, with Pastor Paul Lutter officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2012, at First Lutheran Church with a sharing time at 8 p.m. Interment will be held at Lake Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, Minnesota. Gene was born on April 27, 1942, to Delbert (""Deb"") and Adeline (""Addie"") Herr Thomas in a little cottage on Diamond Lake north of Atwater. Two months later his family moved to the ""little house"" in Litchfield located at East Third Street and Litchfield Avenue and later to South Sibley. He was Baptized May 9, 1942, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Atwater, and confirmed on June 25, 1956, at the Presbyterian Church, Litchfield. Gene met the love of his life, Valda Jurgens, when he first saw her in the hallway at school. He later married her on July 11, 1964, at Beckville Lutheran Church in rural Litchfield. They were blessed with a daughter, Gina Jo, his pride and joy. Born into a trucking family, Gene moved into that career and spent his whole life in the industry. He was the owner of Gene Thomas Trucking. He had a continual love of trucks and enjoyed restoring an old 1967 Hendrickson. He was a lifetime member of the American Historical Truck Society. Gene spent his entire life in Litchfield. He enjoyed pheasant and deer hunting, spending time in the woods, on the dock with his family and dogs, and woodworking. A member of First Lutheran Church, Gene served as head usher for 17 years. He was a member of the Litchfield Fire Department for 25 years. He served as Assistant Fire Chief for 9 years and retired as Fire Chief. Those years of service were one of the highlights of his life as was evident by the frequent stories he shared with family and friends. Gene's love of baseball started with the opportunity to serve as ""bat boy"" at the age of 12 for the Litchfield Optimists. His love of ball continued all of his life. He was fortunate enough to play softball for 45 years with teammates from Viking Signs and Vintage Viking Signs. He was blessed with many relationships made over the years. He will be remembered for his service to others, reaching out to those in need, and for his genuine care and compassion for others. An important part of his last several years was Gene's daily trip to McDonald's where he drank coffee with his friends, teasing one another and telling stories. Anyone who knew Gene knew he loved to tell stories. He was even known to brag once or twice about his beloved Grandchildren, Constance, Addie and Mak. They were the most important thing in his life, and they gave him such joy. His love for them contributed largely to his courageous determination to fight cancer. He was a true inspiration to all who knew and loved him. Gene is survived by his wife, Valda, of Litchfield, MN; daughter, Gina Lokken, son-in-law, Craig Lokken, of Litchfield, MN; grandchildren, Constance Nelson, and her husband, Ryan, of Litchfield, MN, Addison (""Addie Jean"") and Makennon (""Mak"") Lokken of Litchfield, MN; great-grandchild baby Nelson; brother, Terry Thomas and his wife, Janice, of Indianapolis, IN, and their children, Mark, Brad, Tammy, Corey, and their families; Michael Thomas and his wife, Gaylene, of Litchfield, MN, and their children, Michele, Tracy, Teresa, Matthew, and their families; Pastor Pat Thomas and his wife, Penny, of Rochester, MN, and their children, Troy, Trent, Trevor and their families; sister, Deby Thomas, of Minneapolis, MN; brother-in-law, Bert Jurgens, and his wife, Pat, and children, Sheila, Jackie, Arthur, Bret, Chad, Holly, Shane, Mindy, B.P. and their families; sister-in-law, Arlene Albrecht and special friend, John, and her children, Cory, Christy, Kyle and their families; and sister-in-law, LuAnn Jurgens, and sister-in-law Eileen Hurd and her children, Stacie, Troy and their families; and niece and nephews, Dean, Debbie and David. Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Deb and Addie; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arthur and Lucille Jurgens; brothers-in-law, Clinton Hurd and Tom Hurd; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Dahlke, and her husband, Lavern.Previous Events Visitation Thursday, January 6, 2011 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM First Lutheran Church 703 South Sibley Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 There will be a sharing time at 8:00 PM. Visitation Friday, January 7, 2011 11:00 AM First Lutheran Church 703 South Sibley Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355