Eugene Henderson

Eugene Wayne Henderson, 68, of Waseca, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2015.

Gene was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 20, 1946. When he was about five years old, he moved with his parents, Mary Elizabeth (Shouse) Mills and George Thomas Mills and his brother, Scott, to California where he grew up in the Los Angeles area. Later, he moved to Minnesota, where he met Darlene Butler. They were united in marriage on June 28, 1975, and settled in Waseca, Minnesota where Darlene was a high school English teacher. Gene worked as a mobile home repair technician for several years until 1980 when he became disabled. In subsequent years, he sold used cars and owned Gene's Auto Sales for a couple years. Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, drawing, painting, and cooking.

Gene was a very kind and compassionate man. He often helped others whenever he could. He never took for granted the simplest things in life, often remarking how grateful he was for the things he had, despite his failing health. Above all, Gene was devoted to his wife and children. He was a wonderfully loving father and grandfather and a doting husband to his wife of nearly 40 years.

Gene is survived by his wife and best friend, Darlene Henderson; his children, Elizabeth (Justin) Nowak, Terry (Betty) Kunze, John (Diane) Kunze, and Stephanie (Todd) Kaupa; eight grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Scott (Margaret) Mills, Danny (Carmen) Luna, Anna Torrenueva, Katie (Bob) Ramos, Pete Leos, and Helen (Art) Longoria; his mother-in-law, Irene Butler; his brother-in-law, James Butler; his uncles, Bob and Raymond Shouse; his special friends, Merrilee and Tom Novak; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Elizabeth Mills and her infant daughter Angela; his father, George Thomas Mills; his step-mother, Catalina Mills, one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Henderson; his father-in-law, James Butler; and his brother-in-law, Vince Torrenueva.

Visitation will be held at McRaith Funeral Home in Waseca on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Father Gregory Leif officiating. A visitation will also be held for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment will take place at St. Theodore Cemetery in Albert Lea, Minnesota.