He grew up in the Henderson and Aurora, NE areas graduating from Aurora High School in 1953. He served in active service in the U.S. Army 261st Engineering Company from Sept. 1957 to Sept. 1959 where he was stationed at Fort Carson, CO. and Fort Gordon, GA. before being sent overseas to Nuremberg, Germany. Afterward he served in the Army Reserves for four years. Before and after his service in the military he worked at Wortman Motors in Aurora. Gene married Lois Danielson on November 28, 1959 at the EUB church in Aurora, NE. They farmed in the Aurora area from 1960 to 1965. They had two sons, Michael in 1960 and Monte in 1962. In 1965 they moved to Lincoln, NE where Gene began working for NC+ Hybrids Seed Company until his retirement in 1998 as a District Sales Manager. After his retirement he worked in sales part time for Merschman Seeds for 8 years. In 1972 Gene’s family moved to Waverly, NE where he was active in the Waverly community having been a member of the volunteer fire department and city planning commission. He was a founding member of the Waverly Kiwanis and served the organization for 45 years having held the positions of President, Vice President and Treasurer. He was active in the Waverly VFW Post 9875 and had served on the board of Camp Creek Thresher’s. He was also a trustee in the First United Methodist Church of Waverly.
Gene enjoyed giving plot tours the most during his days working for NC+ Hybrids and visiting with his many seed dealers which he recruited. He also enjoyed watching Husker sports, gardening, doing Jumble and Search Find puzzles and reading adventure novels his son Monte gave him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Lois Friesen of Lincoln; two sons, Michael Friesen of Lincoln and Monte Friesen of Lincoln; sister, Lorine Comer of Aurora, NE; brother-in-law, Don Comer of Grand Island, NE.; sister-in-law, Delores Danielson of Phillips, NE.: and nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Goldie Friesen; two infant brothers, Dean and Grant; parents-in-law, Joseph and Viola Danielson; sister-in-law, Joan Moore; brother-in-law, Lloyd Moore; brother-in-law, Deryl Danielson.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel (4300 ‘O’ Street). Reception to follow. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 9th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel.