Eugene 'Gene' Quentin Swenson, 73, passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in International Falls, MN surrounded by family.  He was born on May 23, 1952, in International Falls, MN to Harlen and Betty (Schneider) Swenson.  Gene attended the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from Falls High School in Internationals Falls in 1970.

Following graduation, he worked in Boise, hauled wood for various logging companies and delivered fuel for Roche Oil, but he spent most of his career as a heavy equipment operator for the Koochiching County Highway Department in Loman, MN.  He enjoyed the sense of community that came from working in the Highway Department; from clearing roads for the school buses in the winter, to removing grass and beaver dams in the summer months.

Gene enjoyed anything with an engine.  He raced snowmobiles and cars in his early years, rode snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides for pleasure, and worked on them for many all throughout.  He was happiest when he was in grease up to his elbows, with an engine problem to solve.

Gene was a member of the Littlefork Lutheran Church, and the Elks and volunteered his time and talents at various events for both.  He was a very social man that met old friends and knew people everywhere he went.

Gene is survived by his longtime companion Sandy Huddleston, daughter Angela (Karl) Anderson, son Pat (Hallie) Swenson; grandchildren, Nora, Lily and Sam Anderson and McKenzie, Gracie and Hayden Swenson; his siblings Wayne (Chris) Swenson, David Swenson, Dianne (Steve) Briggs, Gary (Roseann) Swenson, Carol (Ralph) Pullar, George Swenson, and Vernon (Angel) Swenson; numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; a number of cousins; and aunts Marge Schneider, Shirley (Schneider) Bengtson, and Helen (Schneider) Oestreich.

He was preceded in death by his father Harlen Swenson, mother Betty (Schneider) Swenson, his grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

His celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025 with a short commemorative service beginning at 1:00 pm at The Junction in Pelland, just west of International Falls.