Eugene Essler

Eugene V. "Gene" Essler, age 55, of Melrose, died from cancer on Sunday, December 21, 2008 surrounded by his family at his sister's home in New Munich.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, December 27 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening. Eugene Essler was born June 23, 1953 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Raymond and Janette (Hamilton) Essler. Gene was raised on a farm near Padua. He loved farming the land. He was a graduate of Sauk Centre High School. He met Debra Katrinak in Sauk Centre when she came up with an employee friend of hers from Minneapolis, and on September 17, 1977 they were married in Northeast Minneapolis. The couple moved to Melrose where Gene worked for Jennie-O Foods for 25 years. He started in the refrigeration department and went on to driving live haul. In April of 1999, he went to work for Dave Walters at Walters Trucking in Sauk Centre and continued to work there for the next 8 years. He was on the road during the week driving long runs, and then later drove local runs to and from Alexandria and/or the Twin Cities. Gene was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on November 10, 2006. He was in remission for 6 months and on December 2007, the cancer returned to his liver. Gene was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. He enjoyed camping, working with wood, collecting toy John Deere tractors, and helping with Project Give-A-Gift. He loved his nieces and nephews but, most of all, his grandchildren.

Gene will be greatly missed by his wife, Deb Essler of Melrose; daughter, Chrystal (Mike) Sand of New Munich; grandchildren, Mackenzie, Ethan and Aiden Sand all at home; sister, Barb (Chuck) Nathe of New Munich; father-in-law, many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Janette Essler; and his grandparents. Casket bearers will be BJ and Doug Revermann, Tom and Peter Rousslang, John Broermann and Ralph Moormann. Serving as cross bearer will be Jolene Engebretson and tractor bearers will be Joe and Jeff Nathe and Ethan Sand. Gift bearers will be Mackenzie Sand, Shelby, Ellie and Bobbie Rae Engebretson. Eucharistic Ministers will be Deacon Ernie Kociemba, John and Linda Klein. Reader will be Deb Haskamp. Honorary bearers will be Dallas Hamilton, Steve Rademacher, Dave Hollenkamp, Mark Hollenkamp, Mike Hollenkamp, Dave Walters, Al Nathe, William Nathe, Ralph Revermann and Harvey Butkowski.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or the Caringbridge website to help other families for their loved ones who have cancer.