Eugene Loyd Wissel

Eugene Loyd Wissel
June 16, 1929 ~ March 17, 2018

Gene passed away March 17, 2018 in Montrose, Colorado surrounded by family and friends. He was born just before the stock market crash of 1929 on June 16th in Culbertson, Hayes Center, Nebraska. His parents were farm renters during the dust bowl and taught the children how to work from a young age, helping with the farm work and other chores. The family lived off their garden and livestock. They had a windmill to provide water for the livestock, garden and family use. At times they all took turns hand cranking the mill to provide water.
Gene’s family moved to Colorado in 1937 to have irrigated farm land and partly because of his father’s health related issues. The family travelled from Nebraska to Colorado in a Model T Ford Truck and settled on the river bottom in Montrose, Colorado where they continued to farm.
Gene attended the area school and graduated in 1948. He married his eternal sweetheart, Bonnie Bradshaw in 1949, and they struck out on their own to farm. They both worked on the farm along with other jobs in town. Shortly before retiring, they both worked full time for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montrose.
When Bonnie went on Dialysis in 1997, Gene was able to be sure she got to treatments and doctors, while still continuing to work. She passed away at home with Gene at her side. Gene retired at 73, but kept busy repairing problems at the church building every time he noticed one. He also continued to farm. He was an example to family and friends through his willingness to help others thru church service and working in the community. He also visited with everyone he met.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents Loyd and Alice (Hedden) Wissel; his wife, Bonnie (Bradshaw) Wissel; his son, David; his daughter-in-law, Alice (Johnson) Wissel; and one grandson, Avery Wissel.
He is survived by his son, Alan Wissel of Arizona; his daughter, Deanna (Louis) Wright of Washington; his siblings, Kenneth (Darlene) Wissel; Dareld (Irene) Wissel; Verna Jean Wissel; Geraldene Case; Seven Grandchildren; and Six Great-Grandchildren.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Stratford and Hillcrest. Burial will follow at the Olathe Cemetery. Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.