Eugene Ricard

Eugene "Gene" Ricard, 77, Two Harbors, died Tuesday, August 31, 2010 peacefully at home.

Gene was born June 25, 1933 to Wilfred and Lily (Perrault) Ricard in Beltrami, Minnesota, where he grew up and attended schools. He worked with his father on the family farm until he was sixteen, and moved to St Paul to work at a refrigerator assembly plant. He served in the U. S. Army from 1953 to 1955, returned to the Crookston area to farm for the summer, and in November of 1955 he went to work at Reserve Mining Company in Silver Bay, retiring in 1986. He married Albertine "Al" Schanilec May 14, 1956 and they made their home in Silver Bay until moving to Silver Creek in 1961.

Gene enjoyed snowmobiling, and his hobby farm in Silver Creek, making hay, raising cattle, fixing things, hauling gravel and excavating. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and the American Legion.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Clement and Thomas.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Albertine "Al"; sons, Duane (Robin) of Hastings, John (Cindy) of Albany; daughters, Loraine (Dan) Swee of Columbia Heights, and Michele (Joe) Stefansky of St Michael; grandchildren, Aaron, Taylor, Hailey, Jack and Carter; brothers, Victor (Pat) and Bernard (Gen); and a sister, Joyce (Lowell) Plaunt.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Thursday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 AM Friday also at the church.

Burial will be at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery in Two Harbors.