Eugene “Gene” J. Bidinger, 86
Sartell
March 10, 1932-Feb. 19, 2019
Eugene “Gene” J. Bidinger, 86, of Sartell died Feb. 19 at the St. Cloud Hospital.
His funeral was held Feb. 25 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 219 Second St. N., Sartell. The Rev. Eberhard Schefers officiated and burial was in the parish cemetery.
Bidinger was born March 10, 1932 in Le Sauk Township to Frederick and Loretta (Theisen) Bidinger. He served our country in the U.S. Army in Korea. He married Darlene Robatcek on July 1, 1958 at St. Francis Xavier church in Sartell. He worked at St. Regis Paper Mill in Sartell for 40 years and also at Red’s Transfer in St. Cloud, and was a volunteer firefighter for the Sartell Fire Department. Later in life Bidinger worked at St. Francis Xavier in lawn care. Having a strong foundation in his Catholic faith, he was a member of St. Francis Xavier, where he served as a Eucharistic minister. He was also a member of American Legion Post #277 of Sartell and a former member of St. Cloud Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #622. Bidinger enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing cards, outdoor activities, traveling and spending winters in Lake Havasu, Arizona. He was a friendly, outgoing, generous, compassionate, humorous and quick-witted man. Bidinger was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Darlene of Sartell; children, Dale (Carol) Bidinger of Sartell, Pam (Scott) Gnan of Chanhassen, Jodi (Bob) Traut of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Rory (Tiffany) Bidinger of Sartell; brother and sister, Bob (Vi) Bidinger of Sartell and Mary (Kenny) Pietron of Sartell; nine grandchildren, Fred and Tom Bidinger, Aaron and Alex Gnan, Alicia Carlson and Brianna Traut, Keegan, Gavin and Landyn Bidinger; great-grandchild, Knox Carlson and a Bidinger on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Marcy (Marvin) Traut and LaVern (Lee) Kruchten.
Memorials will be used for dementia research.
Arrangements were entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids.
