Gene E. Wilder

Gene E. Wilder, age 66, of Riceville, IA, formerly of LeRoy, MN, passed away at home on November 30th, 2016, due to complications of lung cancer.

Gene was born 21 February 1950 at Preston, MN, to Earl and Juletta (Northness) Wilder.  He was united in marriage to Anna Marie Drees 19 May 1973 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Adams, MN.  He graduated from Spring Valley, MN High School in 1968 and immediately joined the United States Navy.  Serving onboard the USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31) completing 2 ½ deployments to the Tonkin Gulf, Vietnam.  He then was detailed to Patrol Squadron 31 at Moffett Field, CA where he finished his first enlistment being released as a Yeoman Second Class Petty Officer.  From there he returned home and drove for Kroblin Refrigerated Express.  Leaving there he became a police patrolman for the City of Spring Valley and then purchased his own truck being leased to Arrow Motor Freight and Sawyer Transport as an independent owner-operator.  In 1977 Gene re-enlisted in the US Navy being first assigned to Attack Squadron 203 in Jacksonville, FL.  From there he was detailed to the Naval Reserve Personnel Center, New Orleans, LA where he was promoted to Petty Officer First Class.  In 1983 he was detailed to Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Region 16 at Minneapolis, MN where he was selected and promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, a great distinction as a Second Generation Chief, until 1986 when he reported to Naval Air Reserve, Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, WA where he earned his Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist Badge, serving until 1989.  He then reported to the Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Center, Omaha, NE serving as the Command Chief/Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding Officer, until his retirement on 19 May 1993.  During his distinctive military career, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, 3 Navy Achievements Medals, Navy Unit Commendation, 2 Meritorious Unit Commendations, 5 Good Conduct Awards, 2 National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Viet Nam Service Medal with 7 campaign stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Unit Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle Medal and Expert Pistol Medal.  He also wore the Air Warfare Specialist Badge and also the Command Chief Badge.  Upon release from active duty he worked for Moeller Farms, Spring Valley as a truck driver and office manager.  Gene then went to work for Northern Country Feeds in LeRoy, MN driving a feed tanker.  After his retirement there, he enjoyed fishing with the family looking for that big Musky, deer hunting and riding his Harley Davidson, belonging the American Legion Riders, Adams, MN.  Additionally, he belonged to the Adams American Legion, Post 146, serving on the Funeral Detail and Parade Color Guard.  He also served as the Adjutant, Vice Commander, and Commander.  He also served the First District of the American Legion as the Mower County Commander, District Historian and Vice Commander.  He also belonged to the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 146, Adams, and served the First District again as Sgt at Arms and Adjutant of the Sons of the American Legion and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4114, Spring Valley, MN.

He is survived by his wife Anna of 43 years of marriage; his children James (Jodi) Wilder of Glenville, MN, Joyce (Ryan) Meester of Grundy Center, IA, and Jacob (Michelle) Wilder of LeRoy, MN; 9 grandchildren including Jocelyn Pater of Glenville, Romy Ann Wilder of Riceville, IA, Jacob Meester of Cedar Falls, IA, Ethan, Brayden, and Colin Meester of Grundy Center, IA, Brody and Bayn Ossion Wilder of LeRoy, MN, and Booker Dean Wilder of Austin; sister Karen (Richard) Doree of St. Paul, MN; brothers Michael (Clarian) Wilder of Calmar, IA, and Dale (Sue) Wilder of Muscatine, IA; 4 cousins, 9 brothers-in-law, 11 sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents and two brothers-in-law.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 5, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church LeRoy, MN with Father Marreddy Pothireddy officiating.  Pall Bearers will be Jason Ott, Brian Doree, Erik Doree, Ryan Meester, Jake Wilder, and Brody Wilder.  Honorary Pall Bearers are his grandchildren.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 4, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.  Hindt Funeral Home LeRoy, MN is assisting the family.  Reception will be immediately following interment at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Military Funeral Honors will be provided by the Adams American Legion Family, Post 146, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4114, Spring Valley, MN, Funeral Escort by the American Legion Riders/Patriot Guard Riders with the presentation of the flag by a representative of the United States Navy.

Gene was “ALL Navy” and loved his family.

From Psalm 107 “They that go down to the sea in ships, saw the works of the Lord.  A storm wind that tossed its waves on high.  He hushed the storm to a gentle breeze, the billows of the sea were stilled and he brought them to their desired Heaven.”

So, in a tribute to Gene who has joined those sailors on eternal watch, and awaiting the resurrection on the last day, when the sea shall give up their dead.  “Fair winds and following seas.”  Always remember a person never dies until forgotten.

Online condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com

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