Funeral services for Gene F. Mitchell, 88, of Wayne will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 2 at First United Methodist Church in Wayne. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5 at First United Methodist Church in Wayne. Burial will be in the Belden Cemetery at Belden.
Gene died Sunday April 27, 2025 at Wayne Countryview Care in Wayne.
Memorial funds in memory of Gene may be directed to the First United Methodist Church Youth Group.
Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne.
Gene was born in Verdel. When he was a kid, his family moved around a lot, living in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Colorado. At the age of 10, he returned to stay in Nebraska permanently. He grew up on a farm near Belden. In 1956, he married the love of his life, Joyce Mae Halleen. In 1966, the family moved to Wayne, where he worked for John Heinemann Family Farms for a few years. After that, he began his construction and building career with Otte Construction. In 1978, he decided to take the plunge and start his own company, Mitchell & Sons Construction. After retirement, The Oaks in Wayne reached out to him and asked him to do general maintenance on their facility. He worked there for 9 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wayne for many years.
Gene was a man of deep faith, and his life was a testament to that. He loved his family dearly, especially his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. He always wanted to make people smile and be happy. His garden and yard were his pride and joy, and he loved country music, Nebraska football, March Madness, and playing cards. In over 68+ years of marriage, his love for his wife was unwavering.
Gene is survived by his wife, Joyce; three sons, Rick (Marie) Mitchell of Maize, Kansas; Robert (Bobbie) Mitchell of Gretna and Daniel (Laura) Mitchell of Yankton, South Dakota; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; sisters, Lellani Jorgensen of Maple Grove, Minnesota and Janice (Robert) Thieman of Lincoln; brothers, Robert Mitchell of Texas, Larry (Liz) Mitchell of Mexico, and Dennis (Kathy) Mitchell of Hamilton, Ohio; nieces; nephews; and cousins.
Preceding Gene in death were his parents; and one brother, Neil Mitchell.
