Eugene "Gene" R. Meschke

Eugene “Gene” Robert (Dahle) Meschke, age 75, died Sunday, May 26, 2024, at MCHS – Mankato, with family by his side.

Memorial Service 2:00 p.m., June 9, 2024, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Mankato.  Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m., at the church.  Interment will be in Richland Lutheran Cemetery, Adams County, ND.  Mankato Mortuary is handling arrangements. 

Gene was born May 10, 1949, in Faribault, MN to Mahlon and Lois (Smith) Meschke Dahle.  He spent his early years on the Dahle farm in Waseca County.  His parents divorced when he was young and his mother married Emery Meschke.  Gene grew up in the Morristown, Mankato, and Rapidan areas before settling in Rapidan in 1962.  

He graduated from Rapidan High School in 1967, having participated in concert and marching band. Throughout high school, he worked for Titrud’s Service in Rapidan.  In 1969, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  Most of his Navy years were spent in Meridian, MS.  He was honorably discharged in 1973, returning home to Rapidan and continued working at Titrud’s Service.

On June 28, 1975, he married Charlotte V. Quamme at Rapidan.   Two children were born of this union, Terry and Helen.  In 1979, Gene bought Titrud’s Service and started the Country Garage.  Over the next 45 years, he farmed, worked as a mechanic and did DOT truck/trailer inspections.  One of his dreams was fulfilled in 2002 when he was able to build his own shop.   He especially enjoyed restoring farm equipment.

Gene enjoyed attending car and tractor shows, especially Ruttle’s Roll-Ins during the 1990’s and he rarely missed the annual Butterfield Threshing Bee and Pioneer Power.

Gene had a love for German Shepherds adopting 7 of them since 1987.   His dogs were “his boys” and his constant companions.

Gene was a deacon, usher, and served on various committees at the churches he attended.  He always made people smile and laugh with his quick wit and sense of humor.  

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte in 2020; his parents, Lois and Emery Meschke and Mahlon Dahle; and many extended family.

Gene is survived by his children, Terry and Helen; granddaughter, Lilian; siblings, Beverly Meschke, Bunny (Terry) Erickson, Anita (George) Jimenez, Karen (Mark) Lund, Peter (Cindy) Meschke, Keith (Lakshmi) Meschke, Philip Meschke, Diane (Greg) Adams, Julie (Jeff) Dudgeon, Tim (Arlene) Meschke, and Eric Meschke; his “favorite aunt” Jeannette Kuball; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Edward Quamme, Robert (Barb) Quamme, George Door, and Lois Quamme; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends as well as his beloved dog, Bruno.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.