Gene Fuller

The life of Gene Fuller included devotion to his faith and dedication to the family he held dear. Gene was a friend of many and enjoyed much throughout his life. He counted himself blessed in numerous ways, and a more honest man would be hard to find. A hard worker, Gene could be stubborn to the bone at times, yet he placed his priorities to the tasks at hand, and for those who knew and loved him best can attest, he did so exceedingly well. Although dearly missed, gone but never to be forgotten are the treasured memories Gene leaves behind.
By 1929, the days of the flapper and the infamous Roaring Twenties gave way to hard economic times from coast to coast. Just merely the beginning, the Great Depression was officially launched in a country that had seen much growth and prosperity. Despite these troubling times, Bertram and Laura (Clark) Fuller found much to be thankful for when on May 4, 1929 near Lewiston they celebrated the birth of their little boy, Gene. One of eventually 11 children in his family, times were already difficult, although Gene maintained that while growing up he had to eat pretty fast or he wouldn't get any food left on the table! From a young age, Gene also learned the value of hard work and it served him well throughout his life.
Gene was known to find his share of shenanigans as a young boy and was quite a stinker, to say the least. One time when he was in trouble with his mother, he hid outside until well after dark, eventually sneaking in and hiding behind her piano. He spoke of the times he and his sister, Nadine would stand upright on their plow horses all while riding them along the way. His family made their home near Altura before later moving to a farm in St. Charles. There Gene attended the local schools and graduated from St. Charles High School.
Following high school, Gene went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force from 1947 to 1951. Stationed in England, signs of World War II continued to be evident as the rebuilding of the country took place. The people of England had little money, and food shortages continued. Rationing also remained in place, so much so that England's households were rationed to merely an egg a week. After his honorable discharge, Gene returned home and took up farming with his brother, Kendall for several years. He drove a milk truck for a time, and he also worked for Fiberite in Winona.
Throughout this time in Gene's life there was a special young woman who captured his heart. Her name was Cindy Raboin and on November 1, 1958 they were happily married in the parsonage of the United Church of Christ in St. Charles. Before long, the young couple realized the joy of children in their lives which came to include Wayne, Wynn, Cathy, and Kelly. Through the years memorable times were shared as a family during the holidays and other celebrations as well as several vacations. Always the hard worker, Gene supported the family entrusted to his care and provided well for them. Even as his children began having lives and families of their own, there was no place like "home" as they always gathered at Gene and Cindy's home to celebrate the holidays.
Gene eventually went to work for IBM in Rochester from where he retired after 30 years of service to the company. Retirement didn't stop Gene in the least. Following his retirement, he worked For Green Thumb as a caretaker for the I-90 rest stops in Marion and Enterprise. With his love for gardening and working with plants, this was a wonderful fit for Gene. He took great pride in his work and was 80 years old before ultimately retiring!
In his free time, Gene loved woodworking and he was quite good at it, too. Through the years he made many fine furniture pieces for his family including gun cabinets for all of his children, plant tables, and a roll-top desk. Gene was an avid reader and read every Western, all of the Grisham's books and was now into reading books authored by C.J. Box. As charter members of St. Charles Golf Course, he and Cindy enjoyed golfing together until recent years. In addition, Gene was a 60-year member of the Rising Sun Masonic Lodge and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Affairs Post in St. Charles. Devoted to their church, Gene at one point served as treasures of the United Church of Christ where he was a longtime member.
With his uncanny sense of humor, Gene was quick to bring a smile to someone's day. When Scott, his now son-in-law wanted to marry his daughter, Cathy, Gene offered him $2,500 and a ladder to elope with Cathy versus an expensive wedding! On one occasion he went to the farm to meet his brother, Kendall, for a social hour and didn't get home in time for dinner. When leaving Gene went out to the parking lot and was sure someone had stolen his truck before realizing he drove his car that day. And more recently when Gene was sent from the hospital to the nursing home located next to the cemetery where he would be buried one day, Gene commented that at least he was close to the cemetery! Gene was a man of many talents, but cooking was not one of them. One time he attempted to cook the prefect, three-minute soft-boiled egg and even that did not go well.
The last surviving sibling of 11, Gene wasn't afraid of dying, he just didn't want to lay around for a long time. There was no specific "best day" of Gene's life because to him, every day was a good day. He lived a good life full of love, learned from his mistakes, and learned to roll with the punches, even with his stubborn nature. Honest to a fault, Gene wholeheartedly believed that "honesty was the best policy" of which he handed down to his children and grandchildren. With much to be thankful for, the memory of Gene will live on in the hearts of all.
During his last stay in the hospital, the nurse was asking Gene several questions to gauge his understanding and cognitive skills. When asked what today's date was, Gene repeatedly said, December 17, when in fact it was December 12. As fate would have it, Gene passed away five days later on December 17.
Gene Fuller, 87, of St. Charles died Saturday morning, December 17th at Golden Living Care Center in St. Charles. Survivors include his wife Cindy, three children; Wynn Fuller (Dianne Schloegel), of St. Charles, Cathy (Scott) Rossow of St. Charles and Kelly (Bonnie) Fuller of Lead, S.D., five grandchildren; Keenan (Jessica), Kyle (Tricia), Justin (Claudia) and Holly (Steve) Taylor, great-grandchildren; Tristin, Mikaylee, Hunter, Vance, Mya, Grady, Hannah, Jaden, Joshua and Dawson and a sister-in-law Dorothy Fuller of St. Charles. He was preceded in death by a son Wayne, an infant grandson, Joshuann, sisters; Bonnie, Doris, Rhoda, Edna, Nadine, Bernice and Janie, brothers; Clark, Bertram Jr. and Kendall as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles led by Jason Chamberlain. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday and one hour before services on Thursday at the funeral home. Please share a memory of Gene at his online guestbook and view his video tribute, when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Military graveside honors will be presented by the St. Charles Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Posts. Memorials are preferred to the Eagles Cancer Telethon. Pallbearers will be: Kyle Fuller, Keenan Fuller, Justin Fuller, Wynn Fuller, Kelly Fuller, Scott Rossow, and Roland Holm.