Eugene Roger Seydel

Eugene Seydel, 83, of Willmar, died Friday, September 13, 2024, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 20, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment with military honors will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 19, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.  A recording of the funeral service may be viewed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuI3-1ZD8ss.

Gene was born October 4th, 1940 to Fred and Louise (Schneider) Seydel in Detroit Lakes, MN.  The youngest of 12 children he was the only one born in a hospital.  He grew up on the family farm near Lake Park, MN, and graduated from Lake Park High School in 1958.  After graduation Gene joined the U.S. Air Force and served 4 ½ years as a jet fighter crew chief based in Duluth, MN: Lakenheath, England; and Tripoli, Libya.  After discharge from the Air Force he attended Minnesota State University in Bemidji and taught industrial education for 32 years at Sauk Centre, Raymond, and Clara City.

Gene married Sandy Otto on July 21, 1978 and raised two children, Evan and Jena. They resided in Willmar, MN for many years where they hosted an annual grape harvest celebration. They also had large flower and vegetable gardens.  In 1995 they expanded their gardens when they built their dream home on a 5 acre hobby farm south of Willmar.  Gene also enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, camping, spending time on the family farm, and 4th of July reunions on Big Floyd Lake at his brother Junior’s cabin.

Gene enjoyed summer trips with the family to the Black Hills, Disney World, Grand Canyon, and Washington D.C.  Gene and Sandy also enjoyed cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean, and a trip to Hawaii.

Gene was active in the Willmar American Legion Post #167 for many years, including serving as Commander from 2012 to 2014.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy (2008, age 59); his father, Fred (1970, age 79); and mother, Louise (1972, age 74); along with 11 of his siblings and their spouses: Leona Koenig Sletmoen (1990, age 70), Wilbert Seydel (2005, age 84), Esther Atkinson (2012, age 88), Junior Seydel (2005, age 80), Sylvia Nearhoof (2004, age 77), Lyla Olson (2016, age 88), Luella Lindstrom (1973, age 44), Grant Seydel (2022, age 92), Elline Noben (2005, age 73), Archie Seydel (2005, age 71), and Elroy Seydel (1991, age 54).

He is survived in death by his son, Evan Seydel  of Willmar, MN; and daughter, Jena (and Nick) Rogers of Eden Prairie, MN.

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