Gene A. Eiden, age 93, longtime Rochester resident, musician, and former Lourdes High School music educator died Sunday, December 24, 2023, surrounded by family, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Marys Campus.
Gene Albert Eiden was born July 6, 1930 in Holdingford, Minnesota to Albert and Helen (Mulvey) Eiden. He attended Holdingford and Sauk Center elementary schools and graduated from Melrose High School. He then received his degree in music education from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota.
Gene married Frances Juliana Rassier on June 27, 1953, at St. Columban Church in Littlefork, Minnesota. That August he began his service in the Army which he completed in 1955 at Fort Leonard Wood, MO playing in the 6th Armored Division Band.
Gene started his teaching career in Claremont, Minnesota. He retired from teaching in 1993 after 38 years at Lourdes High School in Rochester, where he directed choirs; pit orchestras for musicals; and concert, marching, and stage bands, as well as pep bands for multiple sporting events. He was always willing to provide music for community events whenever called. Occasions included presidential visits, parades for summer festivals, and mayoral requests for city functions. He also directed the Mayo Clinic Notochords stage band and adult choirs for St. John’s, St. Pius X, and Pax Christi Catholic Churches.
As a musician, he played various instruments, primarily trumpet. He played in the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Rochester City Band, Civic Theatre pit orchestras, Brass Quintet, religious services, and multiple old-time bands. He was dedicated to providing Taps for every military funeral in the Rochester area (doing more than 150 the year he turned 90) until a week before he died.
Gene was the oldest of ten children; Donna Mae (Victor) Fink, Leslie (Arlene) Eiden, Darrell (Irene) Eiden, Arliss (Robert) Liebel, David Eiden, Neil (Janice) Eiden, Merle Eiden, Thomas (Teresa) Eiden, and Gerald (Irene) Eiden. He was preceded in death by Donna Mae, David, Merle and two sons-in-law, Keith Kangas and Loren Stortz.
In addition to Frances, his wife of 70 years, Gene is survived by his son Wayne (Kathleen) Eiden, Kay Kangas, and Carol Stortz. He felt blessed by his ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Gene received numerous honors including; 2014 Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, City of Rochester Mayoral Medal of Honor, two City of Rochester Gene Eiden Day Proclamations, Minnesota Teacher of the Year Finalist, Rochester Quarterbacks Club Sports Hall of Fame, Lourdes Foundation Presidents Award, and the Diocese of Winona Bishops Medal.
The family would like to thank the first responders and Mayo Clinic staff participating in his emergency and in-patient care. Gene was most grateful to all, including Dr. Tom Poterucha.
The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester, MN with Rev. John Sauer officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at Pax Christi Catholic Church on Saturday. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post 92.
Memorials are preferred to the Lourdes High School Music Department, Gene Eiden Scholarship Fund, or Pax Christi Catholic Church.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
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