Eugene W. Rumsey, age 87, of Annandale, formerly of Kimball, died peacefully in his sleep after battling Alzheimer’s Disease for several years on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at the Annandale Care Center.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 25, 2017 at Lake Union Covenant Church, South Haven with Rev. Mark Andrews and Rev. Lloyd Melvie officiating. Burial will follow at Lake Union Covenant Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Eugene Willard Rumsey was born March 15, 1930 in Kingston Township to Alvin and Minnie (Ertl) Rumsey. He grew up on the farm in Kimball. Upon his graduation from Kimball High School in 1948, Gene started working at the Ford factory in St. Paul. He worked for the Ford Motor Company for 31 years. In 1950, he joined the United States Navy. He honorably served his country as a Seabee, and was sent to Cuba, Morocco and various other areas of the world. He returned home and was united in marriage to Marleigh Ellen Norgren on February 27, 1954 at Lake Union Covenant Church. He also returned to his job at Ford and continued working there until 1979. Gene loved farming and he farmed 240 acres near Kimball for 40 years. He retired from farming in 1995. Gene was a member of the Kingston American Legion and was named the Meeker County Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1990. Gene was a committed Christian and a lifelong member of Lake Union Covenant Church. He faithfully served the church in essentially all aspects such as Sunday school teacher, chairman, treasurer, cemetery sexton, and physically helped build the church. In his spare time, Gene enjoyed woodworking, fishing when he found the time, and tending to the yard work. He grew a bountiful garden with the best sweet corn and green beans around. He had a special place in his heart for animals. He was partial to Fords and enjoyed restoring his 1936 John Deere B tractor.  Above all, Gene treasured the time he was able to spend with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gene is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marleigh of Annandale; children, Jeff (Julie) of Medina, Debbie (Barrett) Holmgren of Cambridge, and Dawn (Joel) Savat of Shoreview; 10 grandchildren, Stephanie, Phillip, Paul, Robert, Aaron, Tyler, Austin, Leigh, Karley, and Zachary; 15 great grandchildren, Chloe, Ethan, Sawyer, Mason, Mary, Bennett, Henry, Nevaeh, Ivory, Wrenn, Ranger, Evie, Scarlet, Vivian, and Henry; brother, Glendale Rumsey of Kimball; sister, Eileen (Art) Dedrick of Arthur City, TX; sister-in-law, Vernette Rumsey of Waite Park; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin & Minnie Rumsey, and siblings, Gerald Rumsey, Frances Paulson and Viola Snow.

Aaron, Tyler, and Austin Savat, Phillip and Paul Rumsey, Robert Stevens, and Zachary Holmgren will serve as pallbearers with Leigh Olson, Karley Porta, Stephanie Czech as honorary pallbearers. Sherry Bates and Sheldon Hedin will provide music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.

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