Eugene "Gene"

B. Barnhard

Ewing — Eugene "Gene" Bernard Barnhard, 84, of Ewing, died Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the Acura Healthcare Center in Neligh.

Private family graveside services will be held at the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of the arrangements

Eugene was born on Dec. 24, 1940 to Bert and Helen (Thomsen) Barnhard in Plainview. The family moved from Plainview to O'Neill when Gene was young. Eugene grew up as an only child and attended O'Neill High School.  

Gene celebrated his confirmation at Christ Lutheran Church in O'Neill in May of 1953. He enjoyed football during his early years.  

Following high school, Gene worked for Fox's Hay Company and met Mary Ann Kopejtka. They married in December of 1962.

In 1963, parents Bert and Helen, purchased land northwest of O'Neill and raised cattle and sowed grain. Gene and Mary Ann lived on and worked the land with the family. During their time on the farm, Gene and Mary Ann had two children Debra Kay followed by Douglas Eugene.

After the farm was sold in 1981, the family lived in the Atkinson rural area. During this time, Eugene cultivated his love for raising livestock. Eugene began a new role at the Atkinson Livestock Market and worked there from 1983 to 1997.  

He then moved to Mary Ann's childhood home to raise his own herd northwest of Inman. Eugene, Mary Ann and Doug raised cattle and put up hay on the Inman farmland. During this time, Gene acquired two horses, iconically named Fancy, a yellow buckskin, and Francy, a brown chestnut. The farm also hosted several red Farmall tractors and began the quest to collect more Farmall equipment and memorabilia.

Gene never knew a stranger. He was often described as an honest man. Gene spoke his mind and told things like they were. He could frequently be heard saying, “I don't like when people say they are bored.”

On Jan. 27, 1999, Mary Ann, Eugene's wife of 36 years, passed from health complications. Eugene and Doug continued managing the farm until Gene sold the land to his son in 2000.  

Gene purchased a small house in Ewing, where he called home for the remainder of his life. During this time, he was employed by Hobb's Feedlot where he earned long-lasting recognition of his hard work for many years.  

Gene found love once again with Mariam Smith of O'Neill. They were married in 2010. 

This timeframe of Gene's life was blessed with hours of competitive card games with grandkids, replayed western movies, dabbling in woodworking, attending tractor pulls and enjoying televised rodeos. His home was typically occupied by his favorite classic country music artists like George Jones and Merle Haggard. Gene was a prominent presence in Ewing, cruising in his 1986 red Chevy pickup truck or taking an immense amount of pride in his riding lawn mower.

Gene and Mariam enjoyed 11 years of marriage before Mariam's passing on Sept. 27, 2021. During the next several years, Gene experienced health declines such as cancer and loss of sight and hearing. He was admitted to Arbor Care in Neligh, where he lived for two years. Eugene passed in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 15, 2025.

With his family, was the quiet kind of caring, and a frequent sarcastic joker. Throughout Gene's life, he was a proud father and grandfather.  

Gene is survived by his children Debra (Tim) Mitchell and Doug (Diane); three grandsons Bryce Anderson, Jake Mitchell and Joey Mitchell; and two granddaughters Danielle Anderson and Jayden Mitchell.