Eugene Fridgen

A Funeral Mass for Eugene Gene Fridgen, 91, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton with Fr. Joe Vandeberg Celebrant. Organist will be Cindy Sanasack with special music provided by Dennis Johnson and the Ave Maria Catholic Church Choir. Honorary Urn bearers will be All of Genes many friends . Burial will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Wheaton. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening at the Ranney Funeral Home from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Eugene Henry Fridgen was born June 22, 1920 to Joseph and Orlie (Roth) Fridgen in Croke Township, Traverse County, Minnesota. He was the third of five children. Gene completed his education at St. Peters Catholic School in Dumont, Minnesota and then began farming with his parents. He was united in marriage to Doris Anderson who preceded him in death. After several years, he met Opal (Leininger) Mellies. They were married and she too preceded Gene in death. Gene had many happy times in his life. He was an avid and competitive golfer. He looked forward to his Wednesday golf date with all of his golfing buddies. Gene enjoyed time spent on Lake Traverse, whether it was fishing or giving pontoon rides to his family and friends. Gene felt very fortunate to be able to spend many winters in Arizona, where he was able to get in a few extra rounds of golf. Gene was a gentle, sincere, and kind man, and will be remembered and missed. Gene passed away Christmas Eve at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton. Eugene Fridgen is survived by two sisters: Genevieve Hennen and Idelle Fridgen, and one brother, Joe and Helen Ann Fridgen, all of Wheaton. He is also survived by a Special Friend, Leila Fridgen, and seventeen nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives Doris and Opal, a sister: Evelyn Lewis, and two brothers-in-law: Alvin Hennen and Fabian Lewis.