Gene B. Monteith

Gene Bert Monteith, 91, of Lake Elmo, MN, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Born in Chicago, IL, to Curtis and Lucille (Bergevin) Monteith, Gene spent his early years in Chicago, Minneapolis, and St. Cloud, MN. A 1951 graduate of St. Cloud Cathedral High School, he played trumpet in the band and, less known, excelled as a speed skater. After brief college studies, Gene proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation mechanic from 1952 to 1956, stationed in San Diego and Japan.
Returning home, he met Carol Jeanne Barg at a friend’s wedding dance. The couple married on June 6, 1959, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph, MN, beginning a loving partnership that would span more than six decades.
Gene and Jeanne soon relocated to Fargo, ND, where he launched a 39-year career in real estate and insurance with Warner and Company. Deeply committed to community, Gene was an active member of the Fargo-Moorhead Sertoma Club, volunteering extensively to support those affected by hearing loss and communication disorders, and serving on numerous boards.
In 1999, Gene retired and he and Jeanne settled at Toad Lake near Frazee, MN. They cherished summers on the water and winters in Destin, FL, filled with golf, fishing, and time with dear friends.
Family was Gene’s greatest joy. He and Jeanne made countless road trips to celebrate milestones with their children and grandchildren. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Gene was most happy when he was cooking for loved ones, casting a line, sinking a putt, or cheering on his beloved Bison.
Gene is survived by his cherished wife, Jeanne; children Curt (Deb) Monteith, Nancy Rice, Margo Monteith, and Ellen (James) Dedrick; and grandchildren Evan (Amanda Zink) Rice, Elayna Rice, Colin Dedrick, Nathaniel Dedrick, Emma Dedrick, Ryan Monteith, Peyton Monteith, Meredith Monteith, Madeline Lynam, and Alexandra Lynam. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Alan and William.
Gene will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m., prior to mass, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Heritage Hall in St. Joseph.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Great Plains Food Bank, or Second Harvest Heartland.