Eugene Tester, 69

Gene Tester, 69, of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at his home with his wife by his side.

Gene was born in Frazee, on Nov. 2, 1938, the son of Hilary and Louise Tester. He attended and graduated from Frazee High School in 1956.

In 1957, he joined the Navy and was assigned to the USS Cabildo where he served for four years.

On a hot, candle-melting, Sept. 20, 1958, he married Joan Botts in Long Beach, Calif. In 1961, they moved to Fergus Falls where he began working for Otter Tail Power Company and they raised their three children.

Gene was an avid fisherman; he enjoyed nature, traveling, square dancing, camping and spending time with family and friends.

He was active with the Food Shelf, Walk of Flags and Prairie Wetlands.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hilary and Louise (Moore) Tester of Frazee; a sister, Carol Stensrud of Litchfield; a brother, Ted Tester of Toledo, Ohio; and his father-in-law, George Botts of Fergus Falls.

Survivors include his wife, Joan; children, Bruce (Teresa) Tester and Marcy Tester, all of West Fargo, and Kevin Tester of Laconia, N.H.; a granddaughter, Kate Golda of Toledo, Ohio; a sister, Iloe Quinn of Corpus Christi, Texas; his mother-in-law, Elfreda Botts of Fergus Falls; a brother-in-law, Rollin (Julie) Botts of Bloomington; and countless nieces, nephews and other family members.

He touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed by family and friends.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Lakeland Hospice, Caringbridge.org, Federated Church or the donor’s choice.

Visitation: Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the church

Service: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, at Federated Church, Fergus Falls

Clergy: Rev. Doug Dent

Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, with military honors provided by the Patriot Guard and Fergus Falls VFW

Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls

n Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com