Eugene Mahr

Eugene (Gene) Neil Mahr, age 89, of Lime Springs  died Friday, July 29, 2016 in Cresco. Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, August 1 at Notre Dame Parish, Cresco, with Father Dennis Cain officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Cresco. The Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home of Cresco assisted the family.

Eugene was born November 1, 1926 in Spring Grove, MN to Walter and Mayme (Schwartzhoff) Mahr. He attended school and was raised on the farm near Dorchester.  There he met the love of his life, Juliet (Judy) Sollien, and they married July 21, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester. To this union 11 children were born: Michael (Gwen) Mahr, Beverly (Dale) Alstat, Barbara (Bill Tieskotter) Mahr, John (Deby) Mahr, Thomas (Janet) Mahr, Neil (Janelle) Mahr, Gregory (Joyce) Mahr, Donna (Kelly) Thomas, Marlene (Pat) Ollendieck, Sharlene (Don) Hruska and Debra (Kirk) Novak.

Some of the many jobs Gene did over the years included farming, trucking, potato harvesting in the Dakotas, hauling milk, and working in a cheese factory. In 1955 Gene and Juliet moved from Dorchester to Van Horne, where they owned and operated a tavern and also purchased and operated a Case implement dealership. After selling the tavern and dealership, he went to work for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids while they waited to gain possession of the 160-acre farm they purchased in Howard County near Lime Springs which fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a farmer. He also drove school bus for 11 years.

His farming career included ownership of 1700+ acres of cropland; he also raised cattle, hogs and took great pride in owning and raising Belgium horses. Giving wagon and sleigh rides and being in parades was a great joy in their life for several years.  Collecting Case tractors was another passion they enjoyed together. They were Grand Marshals of the Cresco Ag Fest parade in 2002. Gene was a member of the Knights of Columbus. After moving to Howard County, he was a member and usher at Assumption Catholic Church.

Gene and Judy enjoyed traveling to 49 of the 50 states, never making it to Maine. They also traveled to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. They spent many winters in Bullhead City, AZ, where many friendships were formed with other snowbirds.   Gene’s greatest joy was spending time with Judy and his family.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Judy; his 11 children; 34 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren, with two on the way this fall; his brother, Wally (Marriane) Mahr of Dorchester; his sisters-in-law, Martha Rude and Lois Mahr; and many, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bud, Joe and Ray; his sisters, Gen, Lou Mae, Maddy and Margie; and a grandson, Shawn Michael Mahr, in infancy. He was greatly loved and will be dearly missed by so many.