Gene Charles Maun

Gene Charles Maun began his eternity on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. He was born Jan. 30, 1922, in Sioux City, Iowa, the second child of Basil Emmanuel and Teresa Viola Schroeder. He lived his younger days in Laurel, Nebraska, Calgary, Alberta, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, before moving back to Laurel where his grandfather had been a prominent pioneer citizen, building the first school as well as being one of the founders of St. Mary's Catholic Church. It was there that Gene spent his high school years, during which time, he was employed by a Laurel funeral home driving a hearse. After graduation in 1940 he worked for his father at the stockyards in Sioux City and attended Trinity College until the death of his dad in late 1941.

During World War II Gene enlisted in the Navy in October 1942 and graduated from Navy service school at Great Lakes, Illinois, in April 1943, specializing in radio. He was sent from Port Hueneme, California, to the Solomon Islands. Of the three radio operators on his ship, Gene was the only survivor to come ashore under Japanese fire. His remaining naval assignments included the Pacific islands of Guam, the Philippines, and Hawaii.

Following the war, Gene returned to Sioux City in 1945 where he met his future wife, Thelma Williams. Thelma was employed as head usherette the day Gene came by … to visit the popcorn girl at the theater. Three months later they took their vows on March 4, 1946. That was the beginning of a 69 1/2 year marriage, which was blessed with five children … and they said it would never last!

It was 1946 when Gene began his employment as area sales manager with the Burlington Railroad. During his career he transferred several times taking up residence in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Billings, Kalispell and Missoula; and Fort Worth, Texas, before retiring in 1981. He and Thelma bought an RV following retirement and traveled around the country. The happy couple enjoyed many years of golfing, bird hunting, stream fishing, camping, and card games with family and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; infant twin siblings; brothers, Robert and Donald Maun; sisters, Betty Bauwens and Shirley Maun-Tuck; and grandson, Christopher Swartz. He leaves behind his wife, Thelma Nadine (Williams) of Missoula; daughter Penny Franks (husband Bill) of Kalispell; son John of Billings; daughter Mary Malone (husband Rick) of Missoula; son Clark of Missoula and son Patrick of Arlington, Texas; grandchildren, Troy Franks, Jennifer Sharkey, Heather Tate, Lea Davis, Bill Maun, Krystle Maun and Stephen Maun; 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Church, 420 W. Pine St. in Missoula on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a gathering of family and friends.

Garden City Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family with arrangements. Messages of condolences may be left for Gene at missoulafuneralhomes.com.
Read Gene Maun's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.