The service of remembrance for Gene C. VerHoeven, age 71 of Elgin will be held at 1: 00pm MT, Sunday, August 25, 2013. Burial will be 2:00pm central, August 26, 2013 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery South of Mandan with full military honors by the Mandan VFW. Harry Falconer will officiate with Roger Watson giving the Eulogy. Friends and family are invited to share memories at this time.
Serving as honorary casket bearers are Lynn White, David Rios, Grant Johnson, Tony Heinert, Marvin Sherman and Larry Hauck.
Serving as active casketbearers are Josey Rios, Miles VerHoeven, Bob Watson, Steve Quinn, Brett Rosene and Bryon Rosene.
Gene Clarence VerHoeven was born at home in Emmons County on March 4, 1942, the fourth child of Pete and Annie (Nieuwsma) VerHoeven. The family moved to Bismarck and Gene grew up in the woods along the Missouri River South of Bismarck. He attended local country schools.
He married Lois Werner and they had five children, Chet Alan, Kerry, Daniel, Patrick and Kelly. They soon divorced.
Gene was inducted into the U.S. Army on September 10, 1965 and served in Vietnam earning two bronze stars and the Army Commendation Medal with V device. On returning stateside he was stationed at Fort Carson, CO where he met Patricia Puckett. They had a son, Michael. After discharge, he returned to North Dakota where he continued working in the building trades. He was an independent siding and remodeling contractor for his entire working career. He had worked in many towns in several states over the years.
Gene met Lotus (Fretheim) Rosene thirty-five years ago and they were partners from that day forward. They were married in Selby, SD. They lived in several locations over the years, mostly in Bismarck, ND, Reno, NV, and Faith, SD before settling in their present location. This fulfilled Gene's dream of owning a piece of land to have horses on and to play farmer.
In 1990 Gene's barely four year old grandson, Chet Anthony, came to live with them to be raised as their son, a responsibility that Gene considered a blessing.
Gene passed away suddenly at his home August 21, 2013 at the age of 71 years, 5 months, 16 days.
Surviving family members include his wife, Lotus, Elgin, ND; three sons, Daniel VerHoeven, Reno, NV; Mike Puckett (wife Christine), Calhan, CO, Chet VerHoeven (wife Stepheny), Grand Forks, ND; two daughters, Kerry VerHoeven and Kelly Heilman, Fort Worth, TX; two stepsons, Brett (wife Katrina) Rosene and Bryon (wife Kelly) Rosene; six grandchildren, Randi VerHoeven, Chase and Jade Puckett, Corey and Nick Rosene and Katie Rosene; two great grandchildren, Korban and Kylynn VerHoeven; one brother, Rusty VerHoeven, Lincoln, MT; one sister, Esther VanVugt, Grand Rapids, MI.
Gene was preceeded in death by his parents; one brother Bob VerHoeven; two sons, Patrick VerHoeven and Chet Alan VerHoeven.
Waiting to welcome Gene to his heavenly home is SP4 Jimmy Stamey, John Feist, Don Hulm, Jim Feist, his dog Coco and family members.
Visitation will be Saturday August 24 from 1:00pm to 7:00pm and Sunday, August 25 from 9:00am to noon.