Eugene Charles Fougeron was born Oct. 21, 1928, in Seward, and passed away Nov. 12, 2021, at 93 years of age.
He was the oldest child of Charles and Maye (Spohn) Fougeron and lived his entire life in Seward County. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Lincoln, and joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pleasant Dale, in 1950. He attended District #64 in rural Seward County and graduated from Pleasant Dale High School in 1946. He married Evelyn Mae Viets on Dec. 3, 1948 and they began their life together of almost 70 years on their farm near Pleasant Dale raising their family. In 1956, Gene also started working for the Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring in 1990.
They survived several tornadoes, the worst being in 1957, that demolished all the buildings except their home. They enjoyed many vacations to visit their family and friends, including New Zealand, Italy, England, France and Germany and spent winters in Harlingen, Texas, for 19 years.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Viets Fougeron; his parents, Charles and Maye (Spohn) Fougeron; parents-in-law, Elmer and Hilda (Ficken) Viets; sister, Irene Nootz Hansen; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Dale and Norma Ficke; son-in-law, David Speer; niece, Karen Ficke; and nephews, Charles “Chuck” Komarek and Thomas Nootz.
He is survived by his children and spouses, Margie Fougeron, Houston, Texas, Ken (Sherry) Fougeron, Lincoln, Donna (Larry Heyen) Pleasant Dale, and Steve (Marcy) Fougeron, Milford; sister and brother-in-law, Charline and Terry Brown, Harrisburg; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carol and Larry Schildt, Pleasant Dale. He is survived by nine grandchildren, Mandy Lundstrom, Brooklyn, New York, Melissa (Matt) Bueninck, Houston Texas, Katie (Peter) Welsch, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Travis Fougeron, Milford, Abbie Fougeron, Lincoln, Lindsey (Matt) Sample, Pleasant Dale, Tosha Fougeron (Dave Dunham), Crete, Tiffany (Ryan) Meints, Milford, and Taylor (Brandel) Hauder, Pleasant Dale. He was blessed with 23 great grandchildren, Ellie and Oliver Bueninck, Lydia and Simon Welsch, Soleil and Sloane Edwards, Addison and Easton Sample, Hailey England, Jill, Hannah, Nick and Emily Fougeron, Brenden and Aubreanna Miller, Kameren and Gabriella Neihardt, Lilliann Dunham, Cooper Meints and Jake, Luke and Colter Hauder. Additional survivors include many nieces, nephews and cousins and the Ron and Caroline Jeppeson family who farmed with them for over 38 years.
Visitation is from 1 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward with family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The funeral service is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Dale with interment at the Pleasant Dale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pleasant Dale, or to Kiwanis Club of Milford Backpack Program, c/o P.O. Box 48 Milford, NE 68405. Condolences may be left for the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
