Gene Fossum, 1938-2019
Published 1:00 am Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Funeral services for Gene “Gene-O” Fossum will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Ascension Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Mark Boorsma will officiate. Interment will be at 3 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in rural Odin. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family.
Gene Fossum
Gene died Sunday, April 14, 2019, at St. John’s Lutheran Community on Fountain Lake in Albert Lea. He was 80.
He was born April 24, 1938, in Mountain Lake, the son of Otto G. and Myrtle M. (Howe) Fossum.
Gene graduated from St. James High School and then received his Bachelor of Science degree from Mankato State College. Gene served his country for two years in the U.S. Army, with most of his time spent at the Pentagon.
Following his return from the service he also pursued his master’s degree and specialist certificate in school administration.
Gene married Rosalyn J. Harder on June 22, 1974, at Zion Lutheran Church in Odin.
Throughout his career Gene worked at schools in Stewart, Madelia and Elmore, where he took his first position as a principal. He continued his career in Rushford, Lakefield and then Worthington before retiring. While in Worthington, Gene was a member of the Lions Club.
In retirement, Gene and Roz pursued their dream of living in a log home. They built their home and lived near Albert Lea for more than 23 years.
They were active members of Ascension Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, where Gene often served as usher.
Gene enjoyed animals, nature and good country music. He will always be remembered as a jokester, as he enjoyed sharing good humor with all.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Rosalyn; brother, Dennis Fossum, of Spencer, Iowa; brother-in-law, Bob, and his wife, Judy Harder, of Odin; nieces Michelle (Matt) Svalland and their children Megan, Macy and Max of Odin, and Stacey (Dennis) Stade of Odin and their children Emma, Sam and Elena; and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Myrtle Fossum and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Cornelius and Ruth Harder.
