Eugene W. "Gene" Fuchs

Eugene W. "Gene" Fuchs, age 85 of Hastings, died unexpectedly but peacefully at home on Thursday, May 17, 2018, following a multi-year battle with Lou Gehrigs Disease (ALS).Eugene William, the son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Leifeld) Fuchs, was born on January 19, 1933, right behind the bakery he eventually owned in Hastings. Gene attended Hastings High School and graduated with the class of 1951, and was united in marriage to Norine "Peggy" Walker on September 20, 1952, in Hastings. He began working for 3M Chemolite, and later for NSP, Hastings Lumber Mart, Top Lumber, and Northwestern Bell prior to purchasing Midtown Bakery in 1980. He also kept busy by working for the Hastings School District as an evening janitor, selling Catholic Aid Insurance to the Hastings community, serving on Hastings City Council during the 1960s, and by serving on the Hastings Concert Association Board. Gene and Peggy continued to own the bakery prior to selling it in 1988 to their children, Steve and Norine, who still operate as Emilys Bakery today. In 1988, Gene and Peggy moved to Nevis, Minnesota, where they built a beautiful lake home that they enjoyed prior to moving back to Hastings. He loved tending to his gardens, and even achieved the Master Gardener title from the University of Minnesota. Gene enjoyed canning things from his garden, making wine, and was a talented wood carver. Gene also had a passion for hunting, especially pheasants, with his brother in South Dakota. He loved cheering on all Minnesota sports teams, especially the Twins. He and Peggy enjoyed driving and touring the country, and never missed a chance to visit a casino along the way.He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Maxine Fuchs, and Kathy and husband Frederick Langeslay; brother, Jerry Fuchs; sister-in-law, Pat Fuchs; brothers-in-law, Pete Beissel and Bruce Holien; wife, Peggy; and by his daughter, Linda Walton.Gene is survived by his children, Susan (Walter) Riesen, John (Audrey) Fox, Norine Bishop (Jim Lewanski), Steve (Mary Ellen) Fox, Bob Fuchs, Mike (Barb) Fuchs, and Peggy (Jeff) Kemp; son-in-law, Andy Walton; 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; siblings, Paul (Juanita) Fuchs, Dick (Dorothy) Fuchs, Mary Holien, Diane Beissel, Connie Fuchs, and Mike (Mary) Fuchs; sister-in-law, Marilyn Fuchs; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.A Celebration of Genes Life will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory in Hastings. Private family interment will be held at Lakeside Cemetery at a later date.In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Pheasants Forever, Hastings Family Service, ALS Association, or to the donors choice in memory of Gene.Arrangements are being completed by Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings.