BRYANT — Eugene “Gene” Heitland, age 68, of Bryant, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024, at Prairie Lakes Healthcare in Watertown.
Funeral services were held Sunday, April 28, at the De Smet Community Church. Pastor Jim Millman and Pastor Brenda Wicks officiated and music was provided by Crys Grann as organist. Active pallbearers were Kevin Barr, Kip Davis, Tom Hoek, Tate Munger, Bob Garry, Kirby Wicks, and Dean Steffensen. Honorary pallbearers will be Cutler Davis and Blair Davis.
Burial took place at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Cemetery following the service.
The family requests memorials be made to Prairie Lakes Hospice in Watertown, in Gene’s memory.
On November 3, 1955, Gene Heitland was born to Robert and Darlene (Marx) Heitland in Lake Preston. He graduated from Willow Lake High School in 1974. On October 10, 1980, Gene and Lori (Garry) were married in De Smet at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. The couple moved to Huron, where Gene would work for 18 years at the OK Tire Store. Before moving to rural Bryant, Gene spent a few years working at CMI in De Smet. Later in life, Gene would work at Legend Seeds until his health led to his retirement.
Gene enjoyed collecting model cars, tractors, and trucks as well as being outside working in the shop and on motorcycles. He loved spending time with his family and keeping up with all the grandchildren’s activities. His greatest joy was having quality time with all his grandkids out on the farm. Outside of his family, his cats (specifically Buddy and Punky) and maintaining his acreage were both very important to him.
Gene is survived by his wife, Lori of Bryant, three daughters: Shelley (Kevin) Barr of Aberdeen, Sarah (Kip) Davis of De Smet, and Shauna (Tom) Hoek of Brookings, seven grandchildren: Cutler, Harper, Kendall, Blair, Layton, Keeley, and Carsyn; and three sisters: Sharon (Scott) Wicks of Carpenter, Susan (Mike) Sprang of Sioux Falls, and Shirley (Mike) Flanagan of Garretson.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Darlene (Marx) Heitland.