Eugene J Fernholz obituary

Eugene J. Fernholz

October 4, 1939 • June 23, 2025

Eugene J. Fernholz of DeGraff, Minnesota passed away peacefully at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family June 23, 2025 at the age of 85.

A private funeral service at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in DeGraff was held June 30, 2025. Burial was at St.  Bridget’s Cemetery. 

Gene was born in Redwood Falls, Minnesota October 4, 1939 to Frank and Annie (O’Malley) Fernholz.  He grew up south of DeGraff.  He attended country school and graduated from Murdock High School in 1958.  After high school,  Gene worked on the family farm.  

December 30, 1961, he married the love of his life Ann Dirkswager at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church.  Together they had four children of which he was very proud.   Gene worked for Walter Walsh, then purchased the family farm in 1974 and continued farming with his son.   After his retirement in 2003, he worked for Yost Farms.  

Gene was a family man, hard worker and farmer until the end, always concerned about those he cared for especially Ann.  Gene always found a way to make things work and never gave up.  The word can’t was not in his vocabulary, he would correct his family when the word was said and he believed his family could do anything.  Gene had a wonderful sense of humor and will be remembered for his pranks, his sugar bowl, Dove chocolates and the thin pancakes that he made.   A highlight of Gene’s life was when his grandchildren would come to visit, he would tease them and they would all laugh.   He also enjoyed being with his dog, Marble. 

Gene is survived by his wife Ann; sister Kay Tostenson; sister-in-law Betty Fernholz; children: Tim (Annette) Fernholz, Angela Fernholz, Heidi (Brad) Dallmann, Jennifer Fernholz Keppers; grandchildren: Jason (Jesse) Fernholz, Mitch (Mary) Fernholz, Kristen (Zach) Sajion, Brian and Michael Wandersee, Kayla (Brandon) Stafford, Natasha (John Kalenberg) Dallmann, Jaqueline and Alexandra Keppers; great grandchildren: Tate, Jett, James, Peter and Amelia Fernholz, Cecelia Sajion, Avery and Jade Stafford, Addison and Parker Kalenberg. 

Gene is preceeded in death by his parents; brother Frankie; sisters MaryAnn (Hank Fenstra and Bill Coleman) and Peggy (Tony) Freund; brother-in-law Dale Tostenson;   nephews Tom, Ken and Dennis Fenstra; son-in-law Scott Keppers and great grandchild Kalenberg.