Eugene “Gene” Bellefeuille, 94 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2024 at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 12:00 P.M. at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN with Fr. Ben Kociemba officiating. Burial will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Friday, at the Shelley Funeral Chapel. Caring for Gene and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN.
Eugene William Bellefeuille was born on July 15, 1929 in Little Falls, MN to the late Eugene, Sr. and Victoria (Valley) Bellefeuille. He attended the Little Falls Schools until the 8th grade. He then continued his education in 1954 at the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, obtaining a tool and die maker certification. He then started working at Earl Manufacturing in Minneapolis until 1959. Gene was united in marriage to Joyce Kohl on October 11, 1958 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN. They lived in Minneapolis and he then worked at Dean Casting in Minneapolis until 1975. He was a member of the Army National Guard from 1949 to 1957 and was active duty with the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1952. The couple moved to Eden Prairie in 1972, and he worked at Watkins Pattern Shop in Lakeville, MN until 1978. Gene then went to work for Northwest Airlines as a mechanic, retiring in 2006. Joyce passed away in 2000. Gene bought a townhouse in Little Falls in 2009, and he resided there until his passing. He also had a lake place on Moose Lake near Burtrum, MN. Gene enjoyed working outside, spending time at the lake place and fishing, barbeque get-togethers, when he would be the main cook. Gene enjoyed woodworking, and made many various furniture items for friends and family. Gene was a member of Little Falls American Legion Post #46.
Gene is survived by his sons, Mark (Mary) Bellefeuille of Little Falls, MN and Dana (special friend Debbie Strandlien) of Alexandria, MN; daughter, Marie (Special friend Bill Smith) Dragert of Grey Eagle, MN; grandchildren, Renee Bellefeuille, Nicholas Beauchene and Andrew Dragert.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene, Sr. and Victoria Bellefeuille; sisters, Ella Hassing, Viola Kastner, and Rita Nelson; and brother, Leo Bellefeuille.