Gene R. Seuser, 71, of Albert Lea died on June 28, 2007.

Memorial Services for Gene will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Bromeland will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea veterans organizations. Friends may visit with family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before services at the church.

Born to George and Arvella Seuser on Dec. 22, 1935, he was a lifetime resident of Albert Lea.

Gene&8217;s parents preceded him in death; also great-aunt and grandma, Selma (&8220;LaLa&8221;) and Angie Madson, and mother and father-in-law Ruby and Bernie Beal. Gene is survived by his wife JoAnn; son Andy and daughter-in-law Cherie and family, of Albert Lea; daughter Kristen Goodwin and family of Faribault; son Greg of Marshall, Wis.; daughter Lori and son-in-law Bernie Borschke and family of St. Michael; sister and brother-in-law Audrene (Dene) and Dale Light; sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Rollie Moen; and brother and sister-in-law Brad and Sherrie Beal.

Gene&8217;s family was very important to him. He and JoAnn recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and very close friends, an event that Gene anticipated for a long time.

The birth of their first great-grandchild was another special milestone. During the last few years of Gene&8217;s life it was difficult to travel and attend social events. However, he treasured the after-school visits by his grandsons Alex and Forrest, &8220;advice-sessions&8221; with granddaughter Angela, impromptu visits and chats with older grandchildren Christopher and Charlie, tales of granddaughter Morgan&8217;s sports and academic accomplishments, breakfasts and conversations with granddaughter Katie, sports discussions with grandson Scott and visits by his grandson buddy Noah.

Gene loved the outdoors. Duck hunting on Bear Lake, annual deer hunting trips &8220;up north,&8221; pheasant and fox hunting in area farmers&8217; fields, and fishing as many lakes and rivers as often as he could accounted for a lot of Gene&8217;s free time. During the winter, Gene would snowplow neighbors&8217; driveways and during summer, he tilled friends&8217; gardens.

Gene&8217;s career with the Albert Lea Police Department allowed him to meet many people. His positions as crime prevention and safety officer brought him into area schools and community functions. His rescue of two teens from Fountain Lake, involvement in a shutout at First Lutheran Church and presence directing traffic &8220;uptown&8221; were noted elements of Gene&8217;s police career.

Gene&8217;s community involvement included umpiring for youth baseball, playing Santa at &8220;the Mall,&8221; scripture reading at the United Methodist Church, serving as President of the Eagles&8217; Club and supporting the American Cancer Society through participation in the annual Bike-a-thon. After retirement, Gene (&8220;the Captain&8221;) loved to play cards and cribbage at the Sportsman Bar and Restaurant and have breakfast at the Kaffe Hus.

Gene lived intensely. Whatever he did, Gene did it with gusto. He died after having the opportunity to say good-bye and &8220;I love you&8221; to all of his family members. Gene&8217;s large presence and sometimes gruff exterior covered a heart full of compassion and love for God&8217;s creations.