Gene Allen Massett, 86, of Red Wing, died Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing. He was born November 24, 1932, in Charles City, Iowa to Ernest and Kathryn (Smith) Massett. His family moved to Red Wing in 1935 and he graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1949. He and his brother, Dean, both enlisted in the National Guard and in December of 1950 he was called into active service, where he was stationed in Korea during the Korean Conflict, serving until he was honorably discharged in 1952. He then returned to Red Wing and began working at the Red Wing Shoe Company. It was there that he met his wife, Gloria Maier, and the two were married on August 22, 1953. He began a career with the Red Wing Police Department in 1961, retiring in 1986. The day after his retirement, he took a job with the Goodhue County Sheriff's Department until 2000, when he left to care for his wife in her failing health. After her death, he returned to the Sheriff's Department for a short term, as he felt it was time to make room for the younger generation looking for employment. Gene was always a people person, never putting himself first, and never looking down upon anyone--even the inmates he was charged with jailing. In everything he did, he gave one hundred percent. He loved his work, going out to eat and having coffee with his friends.
He is survived by his children, Kip (Lisa) Massett of Zumbrota and Kristi (Bill) Mullen of Red Wing; grandchildren, Casey, Carrie (Joe), Billie (Corey), Crystal, Jason (Stephanie) and Chris; brother Dean (Bev) Massett of Red Wing and nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren; special friend, Maryann Julian. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and a brother, Gerry.
Memorial service and celebration of Gene's life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 26 and for one hour prior to the service, all at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maiden Rock Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation
APR
26.
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home - Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum St
Red Wing, MN, 55066
Visitation
APR
27.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home - Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum St
Red Wing, MN, 55066
Memorial Service
APR
27.
11:00 AM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home - Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum St
Red Wing, MN, 55066