Gene (Doc) C. Muchow, M.D., 87, passed away on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, after a long bout with interstitial lung disease.

He was born on Jan. 26, 1932, in Gaylord, Minnesota, the only child of Edwin and Myrtle (Timm) Muchow. Gene graduated from Cannon Falls High School as co-valedictorian of his class. He attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1957. He completed his internship at Anchor Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, and then served two years at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California.

Gene married the love of his life, Marilyn Munson, on Dec. 27, 1953, while he was a freshman in medical school. They were married for 65 years and together they raised three sons. Following his U.S. Air Force service, he accepted employment at the Austin Clinic in the Family Practice Department. He retired from active practice in 1996. He continued to work for the hospital in Medical Records and Mayo Clinic laboratory in Austin, Minnesota, interpreting drug screenings for an additional 15 years. For 44 years, Dr. Muchow also served as the Austin and Mower County Health Officer. Additionally, he served as medical director at Comforcare for many years. Dr. Muchow was the first Minnesota general practitioner invited to join the Minnesota Section of the American College of Obstetricians. He was a member of St. Olaf Church, where he served on the Foundation board.

Gene will be remembered for his love of people. He derived great joy from his interactions with family, the patients he served, colleagues and friends. He took delight in competitive play with activities such as golf, tennis, bridge and cribbage. He also enjoyed fishing, working in the yard and puttering at the cabin.

Gene is survived by his wife, Marilyn; sons, Jim (Lone) Muchow of Zimmerman, Minnesota, Gary (Patty) Muchow of Owatonna, Minnesota, and John (Suze) Muchow of Minnetonka, Minnesota; grandchildren, Sten (Sanne) Muchow, Karen (Matt) Heisick, Geoffrey, Eric and Cameron Muchow, Lance and Grant Hentges; great-grandchildren, Quinten, Inga, Aubree, Leif and Marguerite; brother-in-law, John (Jack) Munson; and sisters-in-law, Norma Munson and Ann Munson.

Gene was predeceased by his parents; and his brother-in-law, Charles (Chuck) Munson.

Gene’s body will be donated to Mayo Clinic for medical education and research.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Niethammer officiating. Austin American Legion Post 91 and Olaf B. Damm VFW Post 1216 are in charge of military rites. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul at a later date. Memorials are preferred to St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Mayo Clinic Hospice in Austin, Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna or to the donor’s choice. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

The family would like to thank the many friends and support personnel for all their care during the final months of his life. Your contributions were immeasurable and our gratitude is the same.