Eugene Herges

Eugene J. "Red" Herges, age 87, of Melrose, died Monday, June 22, 2009 in Pine Haven at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 26 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with Rev. Ken Thielman and Deacon Mike Keable officiating, and Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Friday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m., and the Knights of Columbus at 8 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Eugene Joseph Herges was born September 18, 1921 in St. Martin, Minnesota to John and Mary (Doll) Herges. Gene was a proud WWII veteran serving in the South Pacific. On September 3, 1946 he was united in marriage to Alma Brickweg at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. He started his career working at the Melrose Creamery. Over the decades, he worked in many parts of central Minnesota. Of his career accomplishments, he was most noted for his award winning butter making skills holding the highest record score of 99.9%.Gene was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa. He was past treasurer of the Buttermaker's Association. He was a charter member of the Melrose and St. Rosa Lions Club. Gene also served on the Melrose School Board. He held memberships of Knights of Columbus, Council #1633, Knights of Columbus, Queen of Peace General Assembly, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, American Legion Unit 101, and Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050. Gene loved his family, relatives, friends, his pets, music, and relaxing at his home on Big Birch Lake. Most of all, he loved his wife and best friend of 66 years, Alma.

Survivors include his wife, Alma Herges of Melrose; children, Linda (Wayne) Engstrand of Clear Lake, Randy (Suzy) Herges of Excelsior, Richard (Brenda Denn) Herges of Melrose, Ronald (Dee) Herges of Andover, Steve (Jeanette) Herges of Pelham, AL, Mary (Paul) Schneider of Perham, Joe Herges of Melrose, and Ann (Brad Klatt) Tschida of Melrose; 12 grandchildren and 3 great-granddaughters; and brothers, Ed Herges of Cold Spring, and Paul (Rita) Herges of St. Cloud.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Math Herges; and sisters, Rose Mohs, Gertrude Wehseler, and Mina Tholl.

Serving as casket bearers will be Michael Herges, Nick Schneider, Joe Schneider, Bryan Herges, McKenzie Herges, and Dennis Smith. Cross bearer will be Nicole Tschida and scripture bearer will be Marisa Herges. Gift bearers will be Chelsea Nelson and Renae Smith. Honorary bearers will be Ron Jeske, Dale Lyons, Earl Wiehoff, Bob Mrozek, and members of the St. Rosa Lions Club.