The funeral service for Eugene I. Sherman will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Bonnerup Funeral Chapel, Albert Lea. The Rev. Jay Dahlvang will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour before the service at the chapel.

Eugene (Gene) Ira Sherman, age 76, of Albert Lea, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, at St. John’s Nursing Home after battling cancer.

He was born Dec. 27, 1926, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Wilber and Silvia (Anderson) Sherman, and grew up with his brother and sisters in Iowa. He came to Albert Lea and married Charlotte Dilling in 1945. They later divorced. He then married Ollie Stam on April 9, 1965, and she preceded him in death in 1993. Deola Nichols has been a dear friend of Gene’s and together they shared a very special relationship for the past several years.

Gene worked for Queen Stove for 34 years, retiring in 1987. He had worked at Wilson & Co. and also in his earlier years worked part-time as a taxi driver in Albert Lea for nine years. He was a landlord for many years. He enjoyed working on his cars and handyman projects associated with being a landlord, but spending time with his family was most precious to him. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church.

He is survived by three daughters and one son: Shari Sherman (special friend, Scott Johnson) of Waseca, Sandra (James) Krueger of Menomonie, Wis., Mary Gamble of Bradenton, Fla., and Robert (Glenda) Sherman of Franklin, N.C.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Nephew, Perry Jensen of Albert Lea, spent many hours with Gene during his illness. Friend, Deola Nichols, also spent many hours with him and constantly praying and caring for him and his little dog, Suzie.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ollie; parents: Wilber and Silvia; step father, Frank Quick; two sisters: Dora (Doty) Dooley of Albert Lea, and Pauline Jensen of Albert Lea; one brother, Harley of Marshalltown, Iowa; and one granddaughter, Julie Krueger of Menomonie, Wis.

A special thank you also to Sylvia Ortiz and her staff for the loving in-home care they gave prior to Gene entering the nursing home.

Gene will be sadly missed by his family and friends. May he now be at rest and peace with the Lord.