Obituary of Gene M. Burgess

Gene M. Burgess, age 85, of Yankton, SD passed away at his residence at Autumn Winds in Yankton, SD on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, March 3, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Yankton with Rev. Dave Gunderson officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories, Yankton, with Military graveside rites with the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and SDARNG Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 7:00 PM on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton with family present. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Gene Martin Burgess was born on January 22, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri, to William and Jesse Burgess where he lived and graduated from Paseo High School. After graduation from high school, Gene entered the United States Army in November of 1946 and served in the occupation of Japan after World War ll until November of 1949. After his honorable discharge, Gene worked as a nurse aide at the Fort Meade Veterans Hospital in Sturgis, South Dakota for a short time. He then enrolled at Black Hills State Teachers College in Spearfish, South Dakota, in 1950 in preparation for his teaching career. This is where he met his future wife, Beulah Jensen, at a square dance. Gene and Beulah were married on August 19, 1951, and from this union their only daughter, Deborah was born. Gene began teaching in McIntosh, South Dakota and taught at various rural schools until settling in Martin, South Dakota in 1966. Gene taught 8th Grade Science and English at the Bennett County Grade School until his retirement in 1988. Gene also served on the Martin City Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years. Gene and Beulah moved to Yankton in 1993 to be near their daughter and family. Gene was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and was a lifelong member of the American Legion. Gene was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa and teacher. Whether it was a story about a Dodge automobile or how to spell a word, Gramps was the source! Gene is survived by his daughter, Deborah and son in law, Robert of Yankton, SD; grandchildren, Bryan of Laredo, TX, Dean and Sarah Valentine of Sioux Falls, SD; three great grandchildren: Brianna of Columbus, GA, Kaitlyn and Danica of Sioux Falls, SD; a sister, Ramona Strandell of Spearfish, SD. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Gene is preceded in death by his wife, Beulah, parents, William and Jesse, a sister, Carol, and a brother, William.