Gene Hestness, 80, of Mason City, died Wednesday (December 12, 2018) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Monday (December 17, 2018) at Epiphany Parish – Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 N. Adams Ave., Mason City with The Rev. Neil Manternach, Celebrant. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, where military honors will be provided.
Visitation with public viewing will be held Sunday afternoon (December 16, 2018) from 2 pm until 4 pm at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE., Mason City. A Scriptural Wake service will be held at 4 pm.
Should friends desire, memorials may be left in Gene’s name to Hospice of North Iowa, Newman Catholic Schools, or Epiphany Parish – Holy Family Catholic Church.
The son of Clarence and Albena (Hestad) Hestness, Gene Caren Hestness was born on September 3, 1938 in Lake Mills. He attended and graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1956. Following his graduation Gene briefly worked for the railroad in Cedar Rapids along with his father.
He then began his career with NCR, National Cash Register, as a technician in Waterloo before being transferred to Mason City. In 1961 Gene joined the United States Army where he served his country until his honorable discharge in 1963.
On May 1, 1965 Gene was united in marriage to Marie Schares at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilbertville, IA. Together they made their home in Mason City where they would be blessed with two children, Craig and Kristie.
Gene continued to work as a technician for NCR until his retirement in 1993. Always one to keep busy, he soon accepted a position with Merritt Computers as a technician until in 2002. Throughout the years Gene and Marie were faithful followers of the Newman Knights, especially their children and grandchildren’s activities. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved spending every available moment with his family.
He was a faithful 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of River City Rifle and Pistol Club, and Epiphany Parish.
Those grateful in sharing in Gene’s life are his wife, Marie, Mason City; his son, Craig (Marlene) Hestness, Mason City; grandsons, Trae Hestness, Mason City, and Seth Hestness, Lynchburg, VA; siblings, Elwood (Velta) Hestness, Adrian (Yvonne) Hestness, and Vivian Brudvig; brother in law, Francis “Blick” Young, and sister in law, Dorothy Hestness; as well as many nieces and nephews, and extended family members.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Kristie Hestness; siblings, Virgil (Gladys) Hestness, Mavis (Jim) Cornick, Jerry Hestness, and Shirlene Young; and brother in law, Milford Brudvig.
