Gene Eugene A. Tix

Eugene A. (Gene) Tix, age 77, of Chandler, AZ, formerly of Hastings, MN, passed away on March 13, 2013. Gene was born at home in Hampton, MN to Mathias and Cecilia Tix. He attended St. Mathias Catholic School and graduated after 8 years. Gene was the oldest child and has four brothers; Jim, Matt, Tom, and Ron and one sister Sharon. After graduating Gene went to work for Daleiden Furniture Store/Funeral Home/Implement Dealership. In 1954 Gene married Theresa Salzl and they were blessed with four children Don, Mary, Joanne and Jerry. Gene purchased the implement dealership in the 50’s and owned it until 1968.In 1968 Gene and his family moved to Hastings, MN where he worked for Schneider Motors. In 1971 Gene joined the Hastings Fire Department where he was a fireman and EMT for 10 years. His wife Theresa passed away in 1974, but he found love again and married Phyllis Barclay in 1975. The family grew with the addition of Phyllis’s two children David and Sue. Gene, Phyllis and Jerry moved to Mesa, AZ in 1981 where he worked as an on-site EMT while a canal pump station was being built. He also worked in California for 9 months while a tunnel was being constructed as the on-site EMT. Gene then went to work for Grover’s a small engine company until he retired at age 60 for health reasons. Gene was part of the El Zaribah Shriners in Phoenix, Apache Lodge No. 69, and St. Peter Lutheran Church both in Mesa. Gene will be remembered for his sense of humor; he loved to tease everyone and always enjoyed a good joke. Gene was a good, kind and caring person who went out of his way to help others. Gene will be missed.He was preceded in death by his parents, Mathias and Cecilia Tix; wife, Theresa Salzl Tix of 20 years; and wife, Phyllis Barclay Tix of 37 years; brothers James Tix and Thomas Tix; and grandson, Jonah Morton.Gene is survived by his children, Donald Tix; Mary (Michael) Jetson; Joanne (Donald) Bauer; Gerald (Yvette) Tix; step-children, David (Kathleen) Barclay; Susan (Stanley) Oehrlein; eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Mathias (Joyce) Tix; Ronald (Dianne)Tix; sister, Sharon Tix; sisters- in- law, Marlene Tix; Shirley Tix; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.A Funeral Service, officiated by Pastor Doug Duin, will be held on Tuesday (3/19), at 10:30 a.m. with a visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 400 9th St. W., Hastings. Interment will be at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery, Hastings. Pallbearers are Michael Humpal, Craig Bauer, Matthew Tix, Alex Tix, Jonathan Barclay, and Scott Oehrlein. Honorary Pallbearers are Holly Bauer, Stacy Rendell; Kristina Morton; and Bridget Tetreault.To sign the online guestbook and view the memorial video, go to www.wisefamilyfh.com.