Eugene "Gene" L. Wiese

Memorial Service
1:30 PM ~ November 18, 2019
First Presbyterian Church
Manning, Iowa

Officiating
Reverend Darrell Mohler

Congregational Hymn
“For The Beauty Of The Earth”
Connie Siepker, Organist

Vocal Selection
“The Lord’s Prayer”
Bruce Everhart, Soloist

   Eugene Lester, son of Lester and Helen Wiese, was born August 31, 1929, in Carroll, Iowa. He grew up east of Manning and attended school in Manning where he participated in basketball and baseball and played the trombone, graduating in 1947. He then went on to attend Iowa State University where he attained a degree in Animal Science and excelled as a member of the livestock dairy and meat judging team.

   On January 11, 1953, Gene was united in marriage with Jean Alice Warnke, with a honeymoon at the Denver Stock Show.  Four children were born to this union. With the exception of a short time in Indianola, they made their home on the farm east of Manning. Gene and Jean were partners in Wiese and Sons Hereford Breeders.  The couple enjoyed traveling together to numerous stock shows around the U.S. and in Europe and Australia.   Jean and Gene opened their home and farm to, and enjoyed the company of, many foreign and domestic students and workers.

   Gene was a true man of faith and an avid member of the First Presbyterian Church.  He made a career out of his passion for agriculture and was a well-known environmental steward. While continuing to better his cattle operation, he ensured to provide the time and resources to support the industry in hopes of a better future for the next generation of cattlemen. He'd go on to serve as the president for the American Hereford, Iowa Cattlemen's, and Iowa Hereford Associations. He held rolls with the NCBA and Animal Trade Advisory Committee, supported various youth organizations such as 4-H and FFA, and judged numerous livestock shows on the local, state, and national level. Gene would be recognized with various awards and later inducted into the Iowa Hereford, Iowa Cattlemen's and American Hereford Hall of Fame.

   On November 14, 2019, Gene passed away at Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning, Iowa.  He was 90 years of age.

   He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Jean Wiese; son Douglas Wiese; and brother Sam Wiese.

   Gene is survived by three children: Helen Wiese of Manning; David Wiese and wife Diana of Manning; Kathryn Wiese of Waimea, Hawaii; four grandchildren: Chancelor, Shayne and Trey Wiese, all of Manning; and Kieran Wiese Gibson of Hawaii; sister-in-law Millicent Wiese of Manning; nieces: Barb, Mary and Nancy Wiese; and by other relatives and friends.