Eugene ‘Gene’ Falling, 73, of Glencoe

Eugene “Gene”  Sidney Falling, 73, of Glencoe, died after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at his home.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 6, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe with the Rev. Ronald Mathison officiating. Jan Heins was the organist. Special music by David, Sharon, Deborah and Jessica Dawson included “Because He Lives,” “I Can Only Imagine” and “How Great Thou Art.” The congregational hymn was “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”
Honorary casket bearers were Randy Cassens and Galen Gronowski. Casket bearers were Brian Cassens, Renee Farenbaugh, Tina Erickson, Charles Benjamin, John Krantz and Jason Falling.
Private interment was in the Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Eugene “Gene” Sidney Falling was born Oct. 11, 1942, in Hutchinson, the son of Clarence and Vera (Rannow) Falling. He was baptized as an infant Oct. 23, 1942, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, and confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 20, 1956, at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. He received his education in Hutchinson, graduating with the Hutchinson High School class of 1960.
On June 23, 1961, he was united in marriage to Kay Cassens by the Rev. Julius Buelow at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. They made their home first in Hutchinson, then moved to Mound and, in 1973, settled in Glencoe. They shared over 55 years of marriage.
After high school, Mr. Falling worked at Hildebrandt Electric in Glencoe and decided to obtain his electrical license by attending Dunwoody  College of Technology in Minneapolis, taking night classes. After receiving his electrician degree, he worked at Honeywell in the Cities and also Drew’s Electric in Mound. On May 1, 1977, he started Falling Electric in Glencoe, which he owned and operated for 37 years.
He was an active member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, where he served twice as president and vice president on the board of trustees and also was an usher. He also was a member of IBEW Local Union 292 and president of the Little Crow Riders Saddle Club.
Mr. Falling was devoted to and took pride in his electric business. He enjoyed the outdoors, his dogs, showing horses, watching Western movies, was a Vikings fan, loved traveling and spent the last five winters in Arizona. He treasured family above all and loved spending time with them and his friends.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Falling of Glencoe; daughter and son-in-law, Jody and Larry Wentz of West Fargo, North Dakota; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bryce and Jeanne Cassens Jr. of Hutchinson and Sharen Farenbaugh of Hutchinson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Vera Falling; infant son, Kevin Falling; infant daughter, Robin Falling; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bryce and Gertrude Cassens; brother-in-law, Donald Farenbaugh; and nephews, Tony Cassens and Derek Farenbaugh.
Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel of Glencoe. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.