A time for gathering and sharing memories for Gene L. Emrud of Crystal Lake, Iowa, will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea.

Gene died suddenly Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at MercyOne in Mason City.

Gene was born Dec. 10, 1966, in Anoka County. He was lovingly adopted by parents Curtis and Beverly (Jacobs) Emrud. He graduated from Freeborn High School in Freeborn and continued his education at Waldorf College in Forest City. He lived his life in northern Iowa, taking residence in Garner, Britt and most recently Crystal Lake.

Gene worked for Winnebago Industries and then for 14 years at Integrated Marketing Technology as a robotics specialist before retiring. In retirement he was finally able to pursue his passion, which was working with bees and his hobby became a business, Bee Kind Apiary.

Gene had many interests and had great artistic ability. He enjoyed renovating, woodworking and was currently working on writing a book. Gene was also an entrepreneur and devised many money-making business plans. He was a researcher; he researched and documented the Emrud family tree, tracing their ancestry back to Norway.

He will be remembered as being very loyal and hardworking.

Gene is survived by two sisters, Lynn Emrud and Valerie (Jim) Hoffman, both of Albert Lea; nieces and nephews Shane (Jackie) Salzmann, Andrea Salzmann, Danielle (Sham) Khan, Kayla (Jacob) McDermott, Brandon (Samantha) Yost and Lisa (Jacob) Clark; and several great nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his special canine friend, Malaki.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Glenn.