Eugene Vannatta

Minot

Eugene Vannatta, 89, Minot died on Sunday, March 12, 2023 in a Minot hospital from complications related to a massive stroke.

Eugene Neil Vannatta was born on August 30, 1933 in Anamoose, N.D. to Walter and Rosina (Degenstein) Vannatta. He was raised in Anamoose and Aylmer and educated at White Township School in Pierce County. As a young adult he was employed by the Great Northern Railroad for two years including a Great Northern Railroad bridge crew for 1.5 years. Gene was drafted into the U.S. Army on June 3, 1953 and served until his honorable discharge on May 3, 1955. He returned to North Dakota and continued to work with the GNRR.

Eugene married Adeline Moser on August 8, 1957 in Towner. They lived briefly in Kenaston where he worked as a bartender in Kenmare, N.D. In 1958 they made their home in Minot where Gene worked briefly at a car wash before starting work at Mattson Construction. He was employed by Mattson Construction as a crane operator for thirty-five years before retiring in 1995. Additionally, for several years in the 1980s, Gene and his wife owned and operated the Idle Hour Bar in Burlington. They continued to reside in Minot N.D.

Gene was a longtime member of Little Flower Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #753, Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge and Eagles Aerie. He especially enjoyed playing the accordion in a band called the “Knights” for thirty-five years. Gene also volunteered his accordion skills by playing for various nursing homes and care facilities in the Minot area. Eugene was a very social person who enjoyed telling jokes, including some rather complicated card tricks. He was also an excellent pinochle player who enthusiastically enjoyed the game. His laughter and smiles will be missed by many.

Eugene’s loving family includes: his wife of 65 years: Adeline; sons: Michael (Kathleen) Vannatta of Minot and Barry Vannatta (finance Diane LeMay) of Steele; grandchildren: Jennifer Iverson (David) Bolduc and Gregory (Samantha) Vannatta; siblings: Jeanette Bickler of Monroe Wash., Delilah (Ken) Jundt of Minot, Arland (Dori) Vannatta of Chesterfield VA, Michael (Sharleen) Vannatta of Minot and Gary (Nancy) Vannatta of Minot; in-laws: Georgianna Vannatta of St. George Utah, Glen (Vicki) Moser of Bismarck, Clifford Moser of Larimore, Edna Schmeets of Harvey and Violet Michalenko of Minot, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, great granddaughter: Haley, brother: Donald Vannatta, mother-in-law and father-in-law: Theodore and Mary Moser; and in-laws: Marvin Bickler, Loretta Moser, Lawrence Schmeets and Pete Michalenko.

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in Little Flower Catholic Church – Minot. To view a delayed streaming of the service, available March 22nd, or share memories and condolences access his obituary page at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Vigil Prayer Service: Monday at 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home – Minot.

Visitation: Monday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home – Minot.

Graveside Service: Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery – rural Mandan.

Memorials are preferred.

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 16, 2023.