Memorial services for Gene Elden Nilsen, age 60, of Rapid City, SD, formerly of Lemmon, SD will be held at 10:30 a.m. on June 18, 2011, at the Prince of Peace Chapel in Lemmon. Rev. Tom Penning will officiate and burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery.

Gene Elden Nilsen was born June 28, 1950, at Hettinger, North Dakota to Melvin A. Nilsen and June M. (Smebakken) Nilsen-Hoffman. He grew up on the Nilsen ranch south of White Butte until the death of his father. Gene attended Burdick School through the 7th grade. The family then moved to Spearfish in May of 1963. He attended school in Spearfish until his mother received her teaching degree and the family moved to Oxnard, California. He graduated from high school and attended a trade school to become a machinist. Gene then worked for a period of time in Bakersfield, CA horseshoeing with his uncle. He returned to South Dakota in 1970 where he resumed horseshoeing and ranch/farm work. He was a very talented machinist/mechanic and horseman.

Gene married Cindy (Stevens) Schafer on April 12, 1975 and they lived on the Nilsen ranch/dairy until it was sold. Three children were born to this union, Heath, Sally and Ben. Following their divorce, Gene continued working as a farm/ranch hand until he settled in the Rapid City area. Cindy married John Hetzel who lovingly adopted the children and wholeheartedly joined Cindy in their parenting.

Gene passed away unexpectedly on Monday morning, June 13, 2011 in Rapid City, SD.

Survivors include two sons, Heath (Kris) Hetzel & children (Hannah, Seth, Leah and Josh) and Ben (Holly) Hetzel & children (Jacob, Sarah and Drew), all of Lemmon, SD; one daughter, Sally (Todd) Hoover & children (Caleb and Gabe), Newcastle, WY; one sister, Vicki (Jeff) Glanzer, Rapid City, SD; and stepfather, Eugene Hoffman, Lemmon, SD as well as many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and step-son, Brent Schafer.

A memorial will be established.