Eugene C. “Gene” Cleveland

Eugene “Gene” Cleveland

March 30, 1943 – November 17, 2020

Eugene Clifford Cleveland AKA Gene, Geno, Big Gene, Dad, Pops, Grandpa & Mr. Magoo was born on March 30, 1943 to Clifford and Inga Cleveland in Fargo, ND. He stated his first boat ride was leaving St. John’s Hospital due to the Red River Flood of 1943, when cars were unable to reach the hospital.

Gene sold newspapers as a young boy on the streets in downtown Fargo for several years. He worked in several bakeries in his teens & early adulthood. He unloaded trucks at SuperValu Warehouse in Fargo, ND for over 40 years.

Gene married Teresa Oeder in 1965. They had two sons. They have remained friends over the years. Gene married Lynn Crowe Thompson in 1998 & gained two stepdaughters.

Gene’s passion in life was dirt track racing. He spent many years working on different racecars with Steve Pavlicek & then with his son Allan. There were several years of assisting with go-karts for granddaughters Allison & Anna Cleveland. He spent countless hours talking racing with Moose and Scotty Jacobson.

Gene had a very gentle soul. He rarely had anything negative to say about anybody, always looking for the positives. He loved his many cats over the years. There was always one or two curled up in his lap or snuggled against him in bed.

Gene is survived by his wife, Lynn; sons, Jim, Fargo, ND & Allan (Angie) Breckenridge, MN; his step daughters, Jessica (Fred) Woitzel & Amanda (Dustin) Hayenga, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Allison (Matt Sprenger) & Anna Cleveland, Sabrina (Austin Lemen) & Makayla Woitzel, Austin Burrell and Evelyn Hayenga; great-grandchildren, Aubree Platt, Aria Lemen and Alex Sprenger; sister-in-law, Sharon Cleveland; and the critters, Dumpy, Bear & Sadie Mae. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters Betsy Ann & Judith Claire; and brother Richard.

We are very grateful for the many years of friendship and assistance from Randy & Julie Howes and Doug & Becky Bakke as well as the constant watchful eye of Darlene Griffin; also, Lee Roggenkamp for giving Gene many special reasons to smile. We were blessed with wonderful care from Hospice of the Red River Valley. Special thanks to Desiree, Robyn and Hannah.

There will be no funeral service at this time due to COVID restrictions.

A social gathering will be held at a later date to be determined.

A private family interment of ashes will also be held at a later date.