Eugene Karnes

Eugene E. "Gene" Karnes, age 86, of Burtrum, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, Minnesota.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23 at the Grey Eagle United Methodist Church with Rev. Marianne Ozanne officiating. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Grey Eagle.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church in Grey Eagle.

Gene Everette Karnes was born January 8, 1928 in Grey Eagle Township, Todd County, Minnesota to Ralph and Alta (Showalter) Karnes. On April 27, 1951 he married Virginia Rogers in Watertown, South Dakota. After farming many years in Burnhamville Township, Todd County, Gene was a custodian and a school bus driver for the Grey Eagle School. He was a member of Grey Eagle United Methodist Church and the International Union of Operating Engineers.

Gene enjoyed fishing, singing, flirting with the ladies, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He got the name "Mean Gene" from his grandson who was learning how to talk and pronounced his name wrong; the name stuck ever since.

Survivors include his children, Brenda Karnes (special friend, Dave Muellner) of Burtrum and Brad (Linda) Karnes of Hill City; five grandchildren, Brad (Steph) Karnes Jr. of Osakis, Lisa Karnes of Massachusetts, Duane "Chris" (Holly) Christian of Waite Park, Joyce (Brad) Jarvi of Sartell, and Dan (Heather) Christian of Burtrum; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Virginia Karnes on November 6, 1992; granddaughter, Brenda Lee Christian; and many brothers and sisters.

Serving as casket bearers will be Chris Christian, Dan Christian, Brad Karnes Jr., Joyce Jarvi, Brad Jarvi, and Taylor Christian. Honorary bearers will be Lonnie Karnes, Larry Karnes, Rocky Karnes, Rodney Karnes, Pat Karnes, Lisa Karnes, and Larry Rosch.