Gene Elroy Thormodsgaard was born to Haakon Ingert and Clara (Johnson) Thormodsgard on February 12, 1942, in the home of Lydia Nelson. The home is still standing in Beresford. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church and confirmed at Romsdal Lutheran Church.

Gene grew up on a farm and attended Pleasant Hill School. He later bought the school sign once it closed. Gene attended Alcester High School for two years and then graduated from Beresford High School where he was crowned the Sweetheart King. During school Gene worked for his neighbors, the Yttreness'. Gene learned a lot from Alvin including driving truckloads of seed to the elevators. In the 1960's Gene moved to Janesville, Wisconsin to work for Beloit Iron Works. When he later returned to South Dakota he worked for Sioux Steel and then the Beresford Coop as a fuel truck driver/salesman.

Gene was drafted into the Army on April 1,1964. It was not an April Fool's joke. He served with the 724th Maintenance Battalion as a teletype operator with Company A of the 24th Infantry Division in Augsburg Germany. While in service Gene was able to travel around Europe with lifelong friends that he made in the service. Gene received an Honorable Discharge at Fort Hamilton, New York City.

After the Service Gene returned to Beresford and continued working with the Coop and started farming. Farming and working were what Gene enjoyed most until one life-changing night when Gene was out with a friend, and they met a couple of girls and joined them at their table. On the drive home that night Gene told Marvin that he was going to marry that girl. That girl was the love of his life Carol. Being the romantic that he was; after courting Carol, he had her go pick out the engagement ring she wanted. He placed it on her finger behind the Graham Tire store. They were married on a snowy day, December 1st, 1974.

They bought their farm in April of 1975. Gene continued farming the home place and other acres in the area. Gene farmed for 31 years until he retired. He would still help friend and fellow farmer John Thompson with planting and harvest season up until last year. He was always proud of his grain cart driving skills.

Gene was involved in many other organizations. He was a seed dealer with Pride, Northrup Seed Co. and later Latham Seed for 29 years. He also served as secretary for the Coop Board of Directors, supervisor for Lincoln County Conservation District 49, Treasurer of the Southeast Soil and Water Research Farm and Big Sioux Watershed Committee. Gene received too many awards and recognitions to list while serving. After retiring from farming, he kept busy with a job at Showplace Wood Products for nine years. He also drove shuttle for Ford in Sioux Falls where he loved meeting new people.

His free time was spent keeping his home farm looking green and well kept. He loved taking his restored Massey-Harris 44 tractor that his Father had owned before him to shows and just being with family. His mornings were spent sitting in a chair outside with his beloved dog Aly next to him watching the birds and animals enjoy the lush green farm that he looked over.

Gene took great pride in his Norwegian heritage. He was 99.9% Norwegian. He was planning a trip to visit the ancestral home in Norway next summer where relatives still live. Some of his ashes will be spread there instead.

Gene is survived by his Wife Carol, two Sons and four Grandchildren Tyson (Jenni), Collin and Ace Thormodsgaard of Colorado Springs CO and Trent (Victorria), Haakon and Freyja Thormodsgaard of Beresford SD and his faithful dog Aly Sioux. Gene loved spending time with his family and his proudest moments were the births of his Grandchildren. He took great joy in being a Papa and was a natural at it.

He is preceded in death by his Mother Clara, Father Haakon, Brother Jim and Sister Carol. Among many friends and other family.

Steward of the Land!! Conservationist! Farmer! Patriot! To his family Gene was irreplaceable, dependable, supportive, loving, kind and patient. His main goal in life to put smiles on people faces and he was darn good at it.