Gene Laurel Buen, 73, Velva, died Saturday, May 23, 2015 in a Velva Nursing Care Center.

Gene was born October 5, 1941 at Minot, North Dakota the son of Laurel and Joyce (Manesterski) Buen. He was raised and educated at Berthold and graduated from Berthold High School in 1959. He attended Minot State Teacher's College and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education in 1964.

Gene was united in marriage to Patricia Wilson on April 14, 1961 at Palermo, North Dakota. They made their home in Minot for a short time, before moving to Velva in 1964. He was employed with the Velva School system for more than 35 years, teaching math and coaching until he retired in 1999. He returned to his love of coaching in 2010 and coached for two more years, winning the State Baseball Championship in 2010.

Gene received many accolades for his teaching and coaching throughout the years, some of which included: North Dakota Baseball Coach of the Year in 1978 & 1984, NHSACA Region 6 Coach of the Year in 1978, 1984 & 1992, ND Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991, National Baseball (NHSACA) Coach of the Year in 1992, ND American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006, NHSACA National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. His Velva teams made 16 appearances at the State High School Baseball Tournament in which they won three championships in 1984, 1986 & 2010.

Gene was a longtime member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva and served on the Church Council. He was also a member of the ND Coaches Association, NDEA, VEA, Minot Elks Lodge and Velva Lions Club. He had also served on the Velva Ambulance as an EMT. His hobbies included; hunting, traveling and attending sporting events. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His loving family includes , wife of 54 years, Pat Buen, Velva; children, Dianna (Mark) Pollert, Jamestown, ND; Daniel Buen, Williston, ND, David (Renata) Buen, Minot; four grandchildren: Ashley (Corey) Eagleson, Trevor (Kari) Pollert, Ella and Everly Buen; two great grandchildren, Coley & Cadence Eagleson; mother, Joyce Buen of Berthold; brother, Ron (Pat) Buen, Victoria, British Columbia; sister, Patricia Grant, Berthold; sister-in-law, Kathy (Joe) Baber, Garrison; brother-in-law, Jim (Sharon) Wilson, Bismarck; several nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Laurel.

Celebration of Life service: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND.

Interment : Wildrose Cemetery, Berthold, ND

Visitation : Tuesday from 2:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot, ND

Memorials are preferred to Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, Souris Valley Care Center, Velva or the Aggie Foundation.