Gene Aldrich

Gene Aldrich, 61, of rural Grand Junction, Iowa, died Monday, January 4, 2010, at the Boone County Hospital.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 8, 2010, at the Community United Methodist Church in Ogden. Rev. Paul Evans will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church in Ogden. Following services, Gene's body will be cremated. Private burial of ashes will be at a later date in the Beaver Cemetery. Carson - Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden is in charge of the arrangements.

Gene Michael Aldrich was born on January 31, 1948, in Monticello, Iowa, the son of Merle and Greta (Kuhns) Aldrich. Gene attended schools in Wyoming, Iowa, graduating with the Midland High School class of 1966. He went on to receive a degree from Iowa State University in Ames where he was a member of the Iowa State Singers. Gene was united in marriage to Mary Catherine Clause on May 22, 1971, at the First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction. The couple lived in Indianola for five years where Gene was employed by Pizza Hut. In the fall of 1976, they moved to the family farm northwest of Beaver where Gene farmed for the next ten years. He also held managerial positions at Wal Mart in Boone, the Boxholm Coop in Ogden, and West Central Coop in Beaver. He was currently employed by O'Reilly Auto Parts in Boone and continued to manage the family farm.

Gene belonged to the Community United Methodist Church in Ogden where he was active in many church activities, and was a member of the choir for 29 years. He served as a Director on the Boone County Farm Bureau Board, on the Beaver Cemetery Board, as an Amaqua Township Trustee, and was active in soil conservation efforts. He also belonged to the Ogden Music Boosters and in 1991 was presented the Governor's volunteerism award.

Survivors include his wife, Cathy Aldrich of rural Grand Junction, Iowa; two daughters, Jennifer Aldrich of Oak Park, Illinois, and Margret Aldrich and her husband, Gary Kunkel of Minneapolis, Minnesota; two grandsons, Abraham and Asher Aldrich Kunkel; his parents, Merle and Greta Aldrich of Monticello, Iowa; two brothers,
Kit (Jodi) Aldrich and Kevin (Sharon) Aldrich of Everett, Washington; one sister, Kristine Read of Monticello, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Judith Garber of rural Grand Junction, Iowa; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Dan Read.

Memorials may be left to either the Community United Methodist Church Elevator Fund or to the discretion of the family.