Eugene Willis Palmquist

Eugene Palmquist, age 77, of Foreston, died April 20, 2010 at his home near Foreston. Graveside services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, April 23, 2010 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca with Rev. Dr. Woo Jae Im and Rev. Tom Sahlstrom officiating. Gene’s grandchildren will serve as casketbearers for the service. Military honors will be provided by Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post #178 and Siemers-Hakes VFW Post #10794. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home of Milaca. Eugene Willis Palmquist was born April 10, 1933 in Foreston, MN to Ivar and Tonny (Mickelson) Palmquist. He grew up near Foreston and attended District 9 country school. Gene served in the US Army for two years of active duty during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1952. He then served in the Minnesota National Guard until 1956. Gene married Ardelle Arend on August 25, 1956 at the Milaca Alliance Church Parsonage. He farmed near Foreston, MN until 1988. He also worked at Koch Hardware from 1960 to 1969 and retired from Westling Manufacturing in Princeton in 2004. He was a member of Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post #178 in Milaca. Gene enjoyed watching NASCAR, reading, woodworking, golfing and watching the History Channel. He loved spending time with his family (teasing his grandchildren) and having coffee with his friends. He is survived by his wife, Ardelle of Foreston; children, Robert (friend Deb) of Foreston, Lou of Foreston, James (Vickie) of Milaca, Jerry (Melissa) of Milaca, Christine (Randy) Benson of Milaca and Cindy (Shawn) Reese of Milaca; grandchildren, Jamie (Cory) Mateski, Joshua Palmquist (fiance Nicole), Shaun Palmquist, Robin Palmquist, Amber Raw, Weston Palmquist, Marti Palmquist, Mason Palmquist, Mariah Palmquist, Carmen Reese and Shauna Reese; great-grandchildren, Autumn, Peyton, Adam, Hailey, Joshua, Justin and Kelsie; brother, Edwin (Delores) Palmquist of Foreston; sister, Grace Mark of Geneva, IL; sisters-in-law, Nellie Palmquist of Foreston and Marilyn Palmquist of Danube, MN ; also by many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Nels and Louie and brother-in-law, Dave Mark.