Gene Toenies

Gene B. Toenies, age 90 of Melrose, passed away peacefully Friday, December 7, 2018 at Pine Villa CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 11 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Rev. Marvin Enneking will officiate with Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating, and Deacon Ernie Kociemba assisting. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Melrose following the lunch.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

EuGene Bernard Toenies was born February 18, 1928 in Freeport, Minnesota to Henry and Anna (Willenbring) Toenies. He was united in marriage to Janet Budde on August 21, 1950 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Gene worked at Stearns Electric in Melrose for 37 years. He also drove chartered buses and school bus for 24 years at Mayers in Melrose and for the Richmond Bus Company of Richmond. Gene enjoyed playing cards, hunting and fishing and driving school bus. He can be remembered for his sense of humor and his quick wit.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose.

Gene will be deeply missed by his children, Nancy Rausch of Grey Eagle, LeRoy Toenies and his wife, Judy of Akeley, Bryan Toenies and his wife, Wendy of Brooklyn Park, and Steve "Scooby" Toenies and his wife, Sara of Melrose; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; brothers, Al Toenies and his wife, Marty of Royalton and Rich Toenies and his wife, Phyllis of Kelliher; sisters-in-law, Jen Toenies of Melrose and Rita Toenies of St. Cloud; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Janet (Budde) Toenies; sons, Gary Toenies and Dave Toenies; son-in-law, Jim Rausch; parents, Henry and Anna Toenies, sisters and brothers, Marie Rau, Cel Toenies, Ed Toenies, Harry Toenies, and Lou Ann Kemper; brothers and sister-in-law, Louie Rau, Audrey Toenies, and Arnie Kemper.

Serving as casket bearers will be Christopher Toenies, Parker Toenies, Brad Toenies, Avery Toenies, Troy Breitenbach, and Greg Yeater. Cross bearer will be Nancy Rausch, scripture bearer will be Tara Yeater and memorial flower bearer will be Beth Breitenbach. Gift bearers will be Xander and Brax Breitenbach and Sara Toenies. The vocalist for the Mass will be Christine DuHoux.