Gene A. Wert, 86, formerly of New England, died on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Gene’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, December 21, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England with Fr. Dennis Schafer as celebrant. Military Honors will be provided by the New England American Legion Anton Ulijohn Post 66. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, New England. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m. with Deacon Victor Dvorak presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass on Saturday.

Gene A. Wert was born on March 2, 1938, on the Wert homestead near Lefor. He was the son of Adam and Mary (Kaufmann) Wert. His early memories were of helping his mom and dad on the farm, riding the horse and buggy, (or sleigh in the winter) with his siblings to the country school. He loved huddling around the stove listening to the radio with his dad in the evenings. In 1947, the family moved to Mount Angel, Oregon where Gene had his first job delivering newspapers every morning on his bicycle. After five years, the family moved to the Wert farm north of New England where he attended and graduated from New England St. Mary’s.

After high school, Gene enlisted into the U.S. Army with several friends for basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas and then was stationed in Boston as a supply clerk. It was there that one of his new buddy’s “hooked him into fishing.” After completing his service, Gene returned to North Dakota and worked as a butcher in Hettinger. One day, his dad called him and said, “Gene, I have an opportunity to buy some land, would you be interested in farming?”  Gene simply replied. “I’ll be home tomorrow.”

Gene and Marilyn were married on June 6, 1964, and made their home on the very land that his dad had purchased, 12 miles northwest of New England. While raising four children they fully embraced the farm life, raising cattle, pigs, chickens and various crops. Gene was a real steward of the land when it came to soil conservation, and he was an early pioneer for no-till farming.

As a member of the community, Gene was active in countless organizations including The Jaycees, and St. Pius Verein. He had numerous leadership roles including being president of the St. Mary’s School Board, St. Mary’s Booster Club, and St. Mary’s School Foundation.

Gene loved to socialize, whether playing cards with friends or being part of bowling/pool leagues. He was his happiest with a fishing pole in his hands with friends.

Three fun facts about Gene: Excellent rhubarb and pecan pie maker, devoted Viking and Twins fan, and he was famous for saying: “It’s five o-clock somewhere.”

Gene’s greatest joy was his family. As a father he guided, listened and taught them the value of hard work and the importance of family. As a grandpa, he loved to spoil and tell his 13 grandchildren stories from the past and explain all that he loved about farming and the land.

During his retirement years, Gene and Marilyn spent their free time with family, gardening, planting trees, caring for their beautiful yard and nurturing the pheasant population. They enjoyed traveling the world, with their two favorite places being Cambridge Bay, Canada and the Panama Canal. However, nothing was better than the moments spent at the lake reeling in fish and admiring the beautiful view.

Gene is survived by his children, Pamela (Brian) Wood, Jacquelyn (Curtis) Delplanche, Ronald (Kimberly) Wert, and Lori (Jonathon) Jung; grandchildren, Kathryn (Kash Irshad) Wood, James Wood, Brandon Delplanche, Isabelle (Payton) Hudson, Stephan (Jade) Delplanche, Raphael Delplanche, Dominic Delplanche, Austin Wert, Alex Wert, Katie Wert, Kami Wert, Elijah (Aspen) Jung, and Gabrielle Jung; siblings, Bernie Barber, and Mary (Russ) Inscore; sister-in-law, Ann Wert; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, February 12, 2024; his parents; his siblings, Rita (Joe) Haun and Marvin Wert; brother-in-law, Robert Madler; nephews, Jon Haun, Kevin Gartner, Drew Madler, and Dean (Lea) Madler. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England or St. Pius Verein, Schefield.

A recording of Gene’s services will be posted next week