Eugene Dehlin

Eugene M. "Gene" Dehlin passed away April 25, 2024 at the age of 91 surrounded by family in the comfort of his home in Winona, MN. He was born November 7, 1932 In Graceville, MN, the seventh of eight boys born to Alvin and Ellen Dehlin. He married Mary Bobette "Bobbi" Thalacker in 1955, and together they raised four children: Kim Dehlin (Michael) Zeiher of Winona, MN, Mike (Catherine) Dehlin of Denham Springs, LA, Kevin (Kathy) Dehlin of Palos Heights, IL and Krista Dehlin (Marty) Marks of DeKalb, IL. Gene and Bobbi enjoyed the blessing of 15 grandchildren (Niki, Ashley, Jeff, Laura, Jessi, Tom, Eric, Riley, Sadie, Gabriel, Carter, Chloe, Jonah, Lucas, and Edie) and 4 great-grandchildren (Daniel, Charlotte, June, and Desi). He was the absolute BEST Dad and Grandpa (Papa)!

Gene grew up in a small town working on farms as a boy and was among the first generation in his family to go to college. He attended Moorhead State University, graduating on a Friday and beginning a job with Standard Oil Company the following Monday. He worked for them, moving about the country as part of their executive training program, until he settled in the Chicago area and retired from what was then Amoco Corporation after 37 years of service. Before moving to Winona, Gene and Bobbi most recently lived in Sycamore, IL where they attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in DeKalb, IL.

Gene was a quiet man with strong values. He was wise and thoughtful, and he reserved his words for when they had meaning. Gene was a man of faith, and he lived it out by being so very kind and welcoming. He had a wonderful sense of humor. His grandchildren fondly remember him counting "1, 2...6!" with them time and time again just to get their reactions! Having grown up with very little, he was content with whatever he had, never thought he needed more, and always looked at things in the most amazing and positive light. He enjoyed (and encouraged!) the antics of his grandchildren, tinkering and fixing things, visiting with family and friends, and spending time in the Thalacker hometown of Chetek, WI... and he loved his greatly oversized lapdog, Finn, who kept him company to the very end.

He was preceded in death by his wife Bobbi, son-in-law Michael, grandson Jeff, his parents, and six of his brothers. He will be laid to rest with the love of his life, Bobbi, in Chetek, WI. Services will be arranged at a later date.