Gene Allen Vognild, 90, passed away peacefully at the Sanford Hospice Foundation Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD on December 19, 2025.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1600 S. Marion Rd., Sioux Falls, SD. A prayer service, followed by a Rosary, will begin at 3:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day at 10:30 am, Monday, December 29, 2025, at St. Michael Catholic Church.

Gene was born on April 5,1935 at the Yankton Hospital to George and Alice Vognild of Wakonda, SD.  The family moved to a farm east of Wakonda where he began his education. Gene attended the country school of Colfax as he entered 1st grade.   He and the neighbor got to ride their ponies to school where they were stabled in a barn behind the school.

In 1944, the family left the farm and moved to Wakonda where he entered the Wakonda school system, graduating in 1953 in a class of 12 students.

Gene attended a legion dance in Centerville, SD where he met the love of his life, Shirlee Blaschke.  They were united in marriage on June 20, 1956. Thus began 69 years of wedded bliss, raising 3 children during those years.

In 1956, they moved to Joliet, IL where he went to work at Household Finance.  This was the start of being a very loyal Bears fan.  They lived there until 1958 when they moved back to Sioux Falls.

In March 1958, he took a job with the Minnehaha County ASCS/FSA office, working until November 1, 1996, when he retired as County Executive Director.  He enjoyed many cherished memories attending all the employee NASCOE conventions every August all around the country with his family.

The highlight of his career was in 1990 when the USDA selected his county for the admin and Secretary of Agriculture awards.  This was for excellent work in the county office and good service to their farmers and ranchers.  Gene brought his office staff and county committee to the awards ceremony in Washington, DC.  A proud time for him and his office staff.

After a vacation to the Holy Land, he returned to Sioux Falls and went to work for Jim & Ron's Towing Service as a part time dispatcher.  He worked there until retiring in August, 2024.

In 1979, his horseback riding friend Ray Brooks, a graduate of USD, was asked to carry the USD flag and lead the Dakota Day Parade.  He asked Gene to carry the USA flag and lead the parade with him.  He was happy to accept - his horse Grit and himself led the parade that day. That was a huge honor for Gene.

He enjoyed lots of outdoor activities, including hunting (pheasants & deer), fishing, water & snow skiing and golf.  He took his family to Canada every year for over 60 years, enjoying walleye and northern catches.  His golf game took him over several courses in the USA during ASCS conventions and being a member for many years at Crofton, NE.  Golfing was enjoyed alongside his best golfing partner - his wife Shirlee!  At the ripe old age of 82, he got his first hole-in-one at the Lakeview Golf Course in Crofton, NE.

Anyone that knew Gene knew that he was early for everything.  We laughed that he had a 9:30 appt with God and got there at 9:16 and had to wait!

Traditions were very important to Gene, including lefsa making, Wakonda 4th of July BBQ, Vognild Christmas Eve and June Canada fishing trips with his sons.

He had a hearty laugh, a welcoming smile, a distinguishable voice and always wearing his signature cowboy hat and boots.  He livened up every room he entered.  Gene was full of one-liners, always making everyone laugh - even in his last days.

Grateful for having shared his life with his wife Shirlee for 69 years.  Sister Marlene (Larry) Erickson, Centerville SD.  Son Doug (Lisa) Vognild, Custer, SD; their children Dustin (Hannah) Vognild, Salt Lake, UT and Morgan Vognild, Sioux Falls, SD.  Son Brian (Patty) Vognild, Sioux Falls, SD; their children Allison (Luke) Hubers, Niceville, FL and Angela Vognild, Sioux Falls, SD.  Daughter Beda (Brad) Pavek, DeBary, FL.

Preceded in death were his parents, George and Alice Vognild; sister and husband Verna (Ellwyn) Nelson, Wakonda, SD ; brother and wife Darrell (Carol) Vognild, Wakonda, SD; sister Norma Ayers, Westlake, OH.

In closing, all of his fellow workers at ASCS, and Jim and Ron's, poker buddies, his church family (a charter member of the St. Michael's parish, Sioux Falls, SD), and everyone that sent cards, phone calls, visits, prayers, and especially his family who were so supportive.

As Gene wrote in his departing letter…"Please celebrate my great life and shed no tears for me as I am in a much better place."  Thank you for being my friend.

"Takk for Alt"  (Norwegian for thanks for everything)

In lieu of flowers, Gene's family ask that you please support St. Michael Catholic Church.