Gene Sturgis

Gene C. Sturgis passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, at St Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN on January 31, 2024. 

Gene was born in Rochester, MN on January 8, 1944 to Carl and Ruby Sturgis. He grew up in Altura and graduated from Lewiston-Altura High School in 1962. He drove trucks for Sturgis and Sons Trucking, along with his dad, until he was drafted into the US Army in 1965. Gene served his country from 1965 until 1967, earning the Army Commendation Medal while overseas in Vietnam. After returning home to Minnesota, he graduated from the Minnesota School of Business and married (Mary) Paula Frisch in 1969. They made their home on a 12-acre hobby farm in Eyota, MN, raised 4 children and spent 29 years together before Paula passed away suddenly, in 1998. 

Gene was the CFO for People’s Cooperative Services in Rochester, MN for 30 years, retiring in 2006. It was there that he met Sandra Pries, whom he married in 2001. Together, they spent the next 18 years traveling, living in MN and wintering in Florida, where Gene spent his days working at Universal Studios, cruising around Four Lakes in his golf cart and making custom-made fishing poles. Gene and Sandy moved back to Minnesota full-time 5 years ago to be closer to family.

Gene was a caretaker who showed his affection by giving everyone a nickname, offering his help, even if no help was needed, and wanting to share everything he had. He was a jokester who loved shenanigans and pranks. He loved telling stories and trying new recipes and he loved his sweets and snacks. He also loved dancing and listening to music and would sing, off-key, in the sweetest voice and, with his family by his side, he was in heaven. When diabetes and dementia made this heaven on earth no longer possible, God called him home. 

Gene was a dedicated serviceman whose life was marked by his unwavering commitment and sacrifice. He was proud to be a veteran, a father, a husband, a grandfather, a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend to all who knew him, leaving a legacy of love and honor. 

Gene is survived by his wife Sandra, four children; Ann (Kurt) Holst, Laura (Darin) Doherty, Tom (Sara) Sturgis, and Nick Sturgis, two stepchildren; Amanda Marschke (Chad Raiche) and Ashley (Joe) Hasling, grandchildren; Greg, Corey, Allison and Shelby Holst, Andrew (Lauren) Doherty, Aliza, Mason and Sophia Doherty, and Olivia and Cal Sturgis and step grandchildren; Maya Marschke, Charlie Raiche, Taylor and JD Hasling, two sisters; Pamela (Carl) Skime and Barbara (Steve) Clark and sister-in-law Lynn Sturgis. He was preceded in death by his wife Paula, their infant daughter, his parents, brothers Richard and Robert, sister Marjorie Haverly and half-sister Ruth Nolte.

Services to remember Gene will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 19th at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles.  A visitation will be from noon to time of services at the funeral home.