Eugene A. "Gene" Mack, 72, Harvey, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at St. Aloisius Hospital in Harvey after a courageous 2 1/2 year battle with cancer. Gene will be missed by many but he'll in our hearts forever.

Gene was born Jan. 16, 1937, in Pettibone, N.D., to George Jr. and Verna (Kraemer) Mack. He was raised on the family farm near Pettibone with 11 other siblings. He graduated from Pettibone High School in 1955. He furthered his education at Valley City Teachers College, graduating in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in education, specifically in English and History. He afforded his college degree by earning money ironing quite a few shirts. He began his 33-year teaching career in the Wauben, Minn., School District in 1961 and moved to the Zeeland, N,D., Public School District in 1962.

In 1963, he moved to the Harvey School District, where he taught English and Driver's Education to many over the years until finally retiring in 1993. After retirement, Gene did many things to keep busy. He served as a member on the Harvey School Board, drove semi truck for Albrecht Trucking, was a transport driver for the Soo Line Railroad and worked for local farmers assisting a variety of farm activities. Gene was a longtime member of St. Cecelia's Catholic Church, Harvey, and was strong in his faith. In addition, he was an early volunteer on the Harvey Ambulance Service. He was also a longtime member of both the Wells Eagles Aerie #3080 and the North Dakota Driver's Education Association.

Gene served as a referee for football and basketball for many years and directed numerous Harvey High School play productions. Gene's passions were to spend time with family and hunt and work on the family farm in Pettibone. The farm was always home to him and his favorite place to spend time. He looked forward to and thoroughly enjoyed the hunting seasons with his children, grandchildren and numerous other family members. He especially loved the deer hunting season in Pettibone each year and relished sharing photos of the season's successes with anyone. He also enjoyed camping with his family during the early years and fishing every chance they could.

Gene loved a good game of pinochle, playing cribbage, putting many miles on his yellow station wagon and a good cup of coffee to go along with a good conversation. Gene had a strong passion for baseball and loved to watch his grandsons and the Dodgers play. He was also a strong Fighting Irish football fan and was able to attend an Irish game in person. Gene had a strong will and character with expectations of others to be accountable. He was always concerned more about his family's well- being than he was for himself right to the very end. Gene will be missed by his family. His children will miss his fatherly advice and selfless giving ways. His grandchildren will notice his absence in the stands during their sporting events and during hunting seasons and he will always be fondly remembered as "chicken grampa."

Gene is survived by: three children, Bruce (Susie) Mack, Minot, N.D.; Timothy (Susan) Mack, Aurora, Colo.; Bonnie (Mark) Hedlund, Sartell, Minn.; five grandchildren, Tyler and Alexander Mack; Hannah Chevarie; and Madelynn and Matthew Hedlund. He is also survived by 11 brothers and sisters, George Mack III, Pettibone, Lee Mack, Bismarck, Donna Etter, Hysham, Mont., Douglas Mack, West Fargo, Dwight Mack of Max, N.D., Delores Grant, Cheyenne, Wyo., Dennis Mack, Hazen, Duane Mack, Pettibone Dionne McElroy, Ames, Iowa, Dianne Norman, Portage, Mich., and Dorothy Mack, Portage, Mich.; and numerous nieces and nephews and his loving friend, Rosie Rheault, Fargo.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, George Jr. and Verna Mack.

Funeral mass: Will be held at the St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Harvey on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, at 10:30 a.m.

Visitation: Will be held at the Hertz Funeral Home of Harvey on Tuesday, Jan. 5, from 2 to 7 p.m. Prayer services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Burial: Will be in Lady of The Lake Cemetery, Lake Williams, North Dakota.