Eugene B. Tunender

Malmo — Eugene "Gene" Bernard Tunender, 76, of Malmo, formerly of Atkinson, died  Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Hospice House in Omaha.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson with a 7 p.m. rosary.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Atkinson. 

Pallbearers will be Tony Huston, Daniel Tunender Jr., Jesse Crist, Andrew Hamik, Dan Brabec and Todd Swanson.

Burial will be in the St Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Atkinson.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Eugene was born March 14, 1946 at the Atkinson Hospital to Raymond and Lena (Ramold) Tunender where he joined siblings Frances, Deloris, Edgar and Robert. 

Gene grew up on a farm north of Emmet. He went to country school and then graduated from St. Joseph's Catholic High School in 1964.  

He worked for Emmet Hay Company, Mitchell's milking cows and farming for Shane's and Galyen's during his time in Atkinson.  

Gene also met his first wife Linda (Handel) and they were married May 24, 1969.  During this union they had two children Debra and Daniel. 

In 1980 they moved to O'Neill, where Gene drove truck for Kraft. After a while Gene bought his own semi-truck and hauled grain for different people and hay for Fox Brothers in O'Neill.  

Gene and Linda separated in 1986 and were later divorced in 1988. They were married for 19 years and remained on good terms over time.

Gene met Wilma (Crist) and were married Oct. 25, 1991 at the Saunders County Courthouse in Wahoo. They made their home in Malmo.  

Gene loved his family and friends. He was very outgoing and no one was a stranger they were just “people he hadn't met yet.” Gene held parties, danced, went camping, boating, but really loved his trucking jobs especially when he could take Wilma and drive all over the United States.

Gene is survived by one daughter Debra (Bruce) Hamik of Atkinson; one son Daniel Tunender of Fremont; four stepchildren Randy (Deb) Crist of Ceresco, Becky (Terry) Shinn of Wilber, Terry (Abe) Abuwisha of Grand Island and Mike (Lisa) Crist of Lincoln; one brother Frances (Lynda) Tunender of O'Neill; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Lena Tunender; one sister Deloris Fischer; two brothers Edgar and Robert Tunender; first wife Linda Tunender; wife Wilma Tunender; one  nephew Edgar Tunender Jr.; and three grandchildren Billy (Joe) Lamb, Jeremy Crist and Kalvin Crist.