Gene R. VanDenover, 90, of Austin, Minn., died Monday, June 18, 2012, at his home after a courageous fight with cancer.

Gene was born on April 3, 1922, in Austin to Ralph and Bessie (Wakefield) VanDenover. He graduated from Austin High School and then served in the United States Navy. Employed by the Hormel Foods Corporation for 43 years, Gene also worked many years at Anderson Radiator Shop. He was known as Vandy and Sheenie by many.

Gene married Marian Jenson of Albert Lea, Minn., and they had four children. Marian died in 1971. He married Lois Pinke in 1974. They would have celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary on Friday, June 22, 2012. A member of the Mower County Historical Society, Gene was also a past president of the Mower County Fair Board, a charter member of Fellowship United Methodist Church, a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Eastern Star, the Eagles Club, and the American Legion. His favorite pastimes were fishing and working in the yard. He would often talk about family memories and he loved to dance. Gene was a very proud and loving father who was also very gentle and caring.

Survivors include his wife Lois of Austin; daughters Joan (Charles) Perrin of Mason City, Iowa, Merry Borg of Sanford, Fla., Renee (Todd) Bergmann of Faribault, Minn.; sons John (Georgia) VanDenover of Austin and Rodney Laskewitz of Reads Landing, Minn.; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Bessie VanDenover, his first wife Marian, his sister Evalean, his son Michael, and grandson Eric.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at First United Methodist Church in Austin with Pastor Marilee Benson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. There will be a Masonic service at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery with military rites by the American Legion Post No. 91 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1216. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.