Gene H. Jurgens, 65, Collins

October 8, 1945 - March 3, 2011

    Gene Harvey Jurgens, age 65, of Collins, formerly of Glenwood, was one of three children of Marion Elizabeth (Kruse) Jurgens and Harvey Samuel Jurgens. He was born Oct. 8, 1945, in Council Bluffs. He grew up on his parents’ farm five miles south of Silver City and the family attended St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola. Gene was baptized in the old church building and confirmed and married in the new church building. He attended Pleasant Grove Country School through the fifth grade and graduated from the Malvern High School in 1963.  Following school, Gene worked odd jobs around Malvern, including working for Mills County Secondary Roads.  He worked at Lakeview Manor in Glenwood before starting his career as an electrician at the Glenwood State School. 
    Gene and Cheryl Kay Goodman were married Dec. 4, 1965. They made their home in Glenwood and one son was born to this union, Samuel Christopher Jurgens. 
    In 2005, Gene retired after 30 years at the Glenwood Resource Center.  He and Cheryl moved to Collins to live near Sam and his family. He dearly loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
    Gene was a member of the Glenwood Eagles and enjoyed being a member of the Southwest Iowa Sportsman’s Club for 20 years. He also liked to scuba dive and was an avid fisherman who enjoyed fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada with his family and friends. He also enjoyed going to the golf course at Twin Anchors in Collins with his son and friends. Gene’s greatest passion was fireworks; he enjoyed watching, setting, and firing the large colorful displays. Despite his health, Gene was still helping with the fireworks a year ago.
    Gene and Cheryl had been married 45 years when Gene passed away at his home March 3, 2011. He had attained the age of 65 years, 4 months, and 25 days.
    Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Marion Jurgens; father-in-law Roy Goodman; and brother-in-law Steven Goodman. Gene is survived by his wife Cheryl Jurgens; son Sam Jurgens and wife Shelley, and their children, Payge, Hanah and Davyn, all of Collins; sisters, LaMona Jurgens; and Carol Patterson and husband Larry of Glenwood; mother-in-law Glendora Goodman of Tabor; aunt Arlu Hindley of Blair, Neb.; sisters-in-law, Sharon Reid of Richardson, Texas, Carol Eischeid and husband Mark of Riverton, and Marilyn Fidler and husband Butch of Glenwood; brother-in-law David Goodman and wife Sandy of Riverton, Wyo.; nieces, nephews and other relatives; and many friends.
    Funeral services were held Monday, March 7, 2011, at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola, with interment in the Mineola Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Hertz Funeral Home of Glenwood was in charge of arrangements.