Eugene Field, 83, longtime Douglas area resident died on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at his winter home in Minot, surrounded by family and under the care of Hospice.

Eugene James "Gene" Field was born on April 14, 1936 at Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND to Carl and Margaret (Wolf) Field. He was raised on a farm south of Minot and attended rural school. As a young adult he was employed as a farmhand for his uncles and neighbors and by the Soo Line Railroad for one summer.

Eugene met his wife to be, Betty Jothen, in 1956 prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army on March 26, 1957. He received his honorable discharge on March 25, 1959. Most of his military service was spent at Fort Lewis, WA. Following his discharge, he was employed in the San Diego area where his mother's parents, Ed and Anna Wolf, lived. He was employed at a meat packing plant, factory and bakery there. He returned to Minot in 1960 and was employed at Sweetheart Bakery. Shortly thereafter, he married Betty Ann Jothen on July 18, 1960 at First Lutheran Church in Minot. His boss at the bakery stated that the job was a wedding present. Gene eventually transitioned into the trucking industry and was employed as a mechanic. These jobs included Ken's Standard Gas Station, Farmer's Union Federated Shipping which was later known as Cenex Transportation. He retired following 25 years of driving semi and working as a mechanic. He and Betty moved to Tempe AZ in 1985 where he continued to drive for various companies in Arizona. They returned to the farm near Douglas in 1998 where Eugene drove for Double Diamond Trucking. Eugene and Betty were blessed with three children: Mark Eugene (1963), Stacey Lynn (1965) and Diana Kay (1970), three grandchildren and one great grandson.

Eugene was a former member of Saron Lutheran Church and Our Redeemers Church and currently a member of Bethel Free Lutheran Church. He especially enjoyed boating, working with horses and chariot racing, but his number one priority was watching his granddaughter compete in rodeos (she was a nationals participant) and taking his grandsons boating and fishing. He was also involved in Douglas Nifty Fifties and veteran's activities.

Eugene's loving family includes his wife of 59 years Betty Ann; children:  Mark (Charlotte Brown) Field of Ridgway CO, Stacey (Chad) Wilhoit of Prescott Valley AZ and Diana Pederson of Aurora CO; grandchildren:  Chelsey (Milan) McMannis, Colten Wilhoit and Karsten Pederson; step-grandchildren: J'me Upchurch and Carmen Cox; great grandson: Maverick McMannis; siblings: Robert (Jackie) Field of Minot, Betty Makeeff of Bismarck, Mavis Austin of Fergus Falls and Raymond Field of Poncha Springs CO; Aunt Alvina Berg and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, many aunts and uncles, son-in-law: Kevin Pederson, sisters: Doris (Clarence) Engene and Lillian Field; brothers-in-law: Raymond Makeeff, Ken Austin, Clarence Engene and Tony Voeller; and nephews:  Craig Makeeff and Bobby Field.

Celebration of the Life of Eugene Field:  Friday, February 7, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in Bethel Free Lutheran Church, 530 22nd Ave NW - Minot.

Interment will be at Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.

Visitation: Thursday from 3pm to 6pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.

Memorials are preferred to Bethel Free Lutheran Church, Trinity Hospice, St Jude's or the donor's choice.

Cards may be sent to 3212 7th St SW, Apt 32, Minot ND 58701.

Eugene Field Flower Pictures