Eugene Peter Vogel

Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, MN 56003 507-388-2288 Eugene Peter Vogel of Mankato left this life peacefully, June 24, 2015, following a five-month battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and children. Gene had just celebrated his 86th birthday June 18th. Visitation, followed by mass of Christian burial, will be held on Sunday, June 28, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato, the Rev. Fr. John Kunz officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. with funeral mass following at 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be served in the church basement following the service. Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary in charge of arrangements. The third of four sons born to Daisy and Peter Vogel, Gene grew up in Eagle Lake and North Mankato. After serving with the US Army in Japan, Gene came home, hitchhiked to California with a friend, then returned to marry his sweetheart, Valerie Sandvik. Gene and Val are celebrating 65 years of marriage. After working as a milkman for Marigold Dairy, Gene became a business agent for the Teamsters in southern Minnesota, fighting for workers. Always athletic, he ran the first of several marathons when he turned 50. During his long retirement, he loved spending time with family, playing golf, and spending the snowy months in Texas. Gene is survived by his wife Valerie and their six children: sons Mark of Naples, Florida, Scott (Jessie) of Apple Valley; and daughters Jeanne (Peter) Steiner of Mankato, Terri (David) Hauser of Maple Grove, Denise (Jim) Bauer of Maple Grove, and Bridget (Brian) Timerson of Lakeville. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and by his brother, Clark and his wife, Joyce, as well as brothers-in-law Terry (Ann) Sandvik and Ron (Rita) Sandvik, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Marv (Gloria) and Dale (Dottie), along with his brother in law Bob Sandvik (Marti). Gene was so proud of all his children and grandchildren and often said they helped to carry out his wish to make the world a better place. Memorials are preferred to Mayo-Mankato Hospice or the American Cancer Society.