Daniel Funeral Home & Cremation Service

Eugene J. "Gene" Kivi

May 27, 1935 – May 7, 2018

Memorial services celebrating the life of Eugene J. “Gene” Kivi, 82, of St. Cloud will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church in Rice.  Gene passed away peacefully with family by his side on Monday, May 7, 2018 at the St. Cloud Hospital from complications of a stroke.  Pastor David Edge will officiate.  Burial will be at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.  
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.  Arrangements are with Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud. 
Gene was born on May 27, 1935 in a sauna on the shores of Strawberry Lake, Becker County, Minnesota to Axel and Rauha (Nummelin).  He attended a one room school house in rural Ogema and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School.  Gene proudly served in the US Navy during the Korean War.  He obtained a degree in drafting from Dunwoody Institute.  Gene lived in the Twin Cities for many years and enjoyed working for Johnson Filtration.  He transferred for work to Beckley, West Virginia and later Charlotte, North Carolina where he retired in 1992.  While in Charlotte, he met his wife Mary, on Dec. 7, 1990 and they were married on June 26, 1993.  In 1997, they relocated to Rochester to be closer to family.  And once again in March 2017 they moved to St. Cloud to be near family.   
Gene lived his life with a philosophy of “too one of whom much is given, much is expected”.   He was active with the Community Action Program, Community Food Response, Reading in the Schools with Youth and social justice programs at St. Francis Church and Operation Christmas Child.  
Gene enjoyed woodworking, spending time with family-especially at Strawberry Lake, fishing and his honey bees.    He will be remembered for his generosity, his pranks and his joking.
He is survived by his wife of almost 25 years, Mary; daughters, Deb Anderson of Shafer, Shirley Bandukia of Wichita Falls, TX; Trish Kivi of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Jamie Medelberg, Dustin and Dillon Anderson; great grandchildren, Berkley, Paisley, Averie, Lilly and Hayden; brother, Roy Kivi of Seattle, WA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Catherine, Peggy, and Gertrude; and brothers, Heimo, Vaino, and William.
Memorials are preferred.  
An additional Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at the family home on June 23, 2018.   

Guestbook

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Sorry for your loss,Good to see you Memorial day at the rice VFW

Marydear, I am so sorry that I had to miss the funeral. Sincere condolences. Love, Susan

My sincere condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort give you the comfort you need to endure this difficult time and the days ahead (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)

Really a good person. Nothing but pleasant memories. Great perspective on “things”. RIP Gene

Mary and family, Please accept my condolences on your loss. Gene was a kind and friendly man.

Mary,
I was so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. My Sympathies to you and your family. He was a friendly and happy person and i know that is what many people saw in him. I know he loved you very much so hold that love in your heart forever. Also all those wonderful memories that you shared in your time together. It’s never easy to lose someone you love so dearly. So know that your friends are thinking of you at this time.
Sympathy & Love
Julia Koepsell

Mary, my sympathies upon Gene’s passing. We at Adopt-A-Family have fond memories of Gene coming to deliver Christmas gifts and settling in for coffee and conversation over the years. He was always willing to chat and do what he could to help others. Take care. Many blessings for you and your family.

Mary
My sincere sympathy to you and your extended family. Hugs and peace of mind. DI

Gene’s humor and fun loving nature will be greatly missed. Even though we knew him such a short time we enjoyed his company. I pray for peace for his family and am thankful I was able to be his friend.

Mary, So sorry to learn of Gene’s passing. I was so happy when you two moved into the house right across the street from us, and now you would be enjoying that magnificent fireplace! Remember, your neighbors care, and please reach out to us if you need anything.
God Bless You,
Sincerely,
Traci Munson

Please accept my sincere condolences during this time of grief. My hope is that the words of Christ Jesus be of comfort, when he stated that “the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out” (John 5: 28, 29). We can also take comfort in God’s personal promise to “wipe out every tear” and that soon, even “death will be no more” (Revelation 21: 4).

Services

Schedule Details

Memorial services celebrating the life of Eugene J. “Gene” Kivi, 82, of St. Cloud will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church in Rice.  Gene passed away peacefully with family by his side on Monday, May 7, 2018 at the St. Cloud Hospital from complications of a stroke.  Pastor David Edge will officiate.  Burial will be at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.  
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.  Arrangements are with Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud.