Eugene “Gene” S. Fedorenko

Watford City

Eugene “Gene” S. Fedorenko, 94, of Watford City, ND passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the Lund Hospice Home in Gilbert, AZ. Eugene Fedorenko was born in Harvey, ND to Sam and Anne Fedorenko of Kief, ND on October 12,1931. He came home to an older sister, LaVern (Bobbie). He attended grade school in Kief, ND, and attended high school there and at Minot High School, where he also attended Minot State University at the same time.

He attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with a degree in Marketing and Management in 1957. While he was there, he also worked for Griffiths in Grand Forks. Gene saw a sign at UND which said, “Step up and join the Navy,” so he did and spent the next 4 years serving his country in the US Navy, attached to the Marines as a Hospital Corpsman. He was awarded 2 Purple Hearts while in Korea.

After retiring from the military, he met his future wife, Elaine Olson from Watford City, ND, and they were married in 1954 at First Lutheran Church in Watford City. They have 3 children, Teri (Tim) Taylor; Julie Fedorenko and Jim (Lori-deceased) Fedorenko; Lori’s children, Nicole (Ryan) Brathwaite, Shane, and Luke McLaren; 2 granddaughters, Lisa (Brian) Felty and Sarah (Sean) Hesler; 2 great grandsons, Carter and Maison Felty; and special family Bob and Kathy Olson.

Gene served as a rural mail carrier at Keene and farmed with his father-in-law and brother-in-law. They moved to Watford City in 1972. Here, he obtained his private pilot license, and he was very proud of this and later had his own plane.

He was transferred to Dickinson and worked part time at Parkway Ford and sold real estate. They also had a lake home at McKenzie Bay where he loved to water ski (still did at 89), jet ski, boat, and spend family time. He taught many kids to water ski and spent many hours pulling and teaching water skiers.

When he retired, he bought a ranch north of Medora and ranched with his son. After selling the ranch, Gene and Elaine moved back to Watford City and spent the winters in Mesa, AZ, where he was active playing pickle ball, golf, pinochle, and cribbage.

During his lifetime he was a member of the ND Rural Carriers, served on the Independent Oil Board at Kenne, served two terms on the McKenzie County School Board, served on the church boards in Clear Creek in Keene, St. John’s Lutheran, Dickinson, ND, and First Lutheran in Watford City, and the McKenzie Marine Club Board. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and The SVE Veterans Club, and 50 years in the Saddle Club.

He loved to sing and sang in the Dickinson Barbershop choir and quartette, and church choirs wherever he lived, and often sang solos for church services, weddings, and funerals. He sang his last solo to his wife on their 70th wedding celebration at the First Lutheran Church.

Memorial Services for Gene will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church in Watford City, ND, with Minister Matthew Rolfson officiating. A luncheon will follow services for a time of fellowship and sharing.

Eugene will be laid to rest at Schafer Cemetery in Watford City, ND, on Friday, July 24, 2026, following his Family and Friends Service. Military Honors will be presented by the representatives of the United States Navy Funeral Honors Team and the Carl E Rogen Post 29 of Watford City, North Dakota.

A Family and Friends service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Watford City, ND, with Pastor Rob Favorite officiating. The service will be recorded and uploaded directly to Gene’s obituary page on our website at www.fulkersons.com as soon as it is available.

Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City, ND, is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, July 10, 2026.