Eugene Kinen

Eugene Frederick Kinen, 80, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Thursday, July 4, 2013, at the Heritage House in Atlantic.

Gene was born August 20, 1932, in Atlantic, Iowa, the son of William and Gladys (Miller) Kinen. He grew up on a farm north of Wiota and graduated from Wiota High School in 1950.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1950, serving until 1954. After his return to Atlantic, Gene started working at Pelgas. On May 4, 1957, he was united in marriage to Shirley Bennett at the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, Iowa. In 1998, he retired after 43 years at Pelgas.
He was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church and of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree. Gene was active in his community and served as a Cub Master, school volunteer and church leader. He was a member of both the Lions Club and the Elks Club. Gene also served on the Atlantic City Council.

Gene never knew a stranger. He had an avid love of sports and was a huge fan of the Kansas City Royals. Gene grew up on a farm and loved to attend the Cass County Fair. Gene had a special love for his grandchildren, they were his pride and joy.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Kinen, of Atlantic, Iowa; his children, Douglas (Gwen) Kinen of Indian Rock Beach, Florida, Dennis (Judy) Kinen of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Diana (Gerhard) Marburg of Atlantic, Iowa, and David Kinen of Chillicothe, Missouri; his grandchildren, Alexis Kline, Alison Robinson, Megan Kinen, Erin Kinen and Jessica Hazlehurst; his great-grandchildren Jackson and Baylor; his sisters, Doris (Waldo) Leander of Cedar Bluffs, NE, Charlotte(Roy) McLaughlin of Caldwell, Idaho and Mary Jo Kinen (friend Kari Kaiser) of Omaha, NE; brother Larry (Cheryl) Kinen of Papillion, NE; his sister-in-law Colette Kinen of Atlantic, IA and numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, William and Gladys Kinen; his brother, Charles Kinen and his niece, Claudette Kinen.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2013, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic with burial to follow in SS Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the ALS Association or the American Cancer Society in Gene's name.