Eugene Nonnast was born November 14, 1939 in Sturgis, SD to Jenny (McKenzie) Nonnast and August Nonnast. He was the 5th of six children born to a hardworking German-Scottish farming family just south of Whitewood. Eugene attended eight years of school at Whitewood and four years in Sturgis, graduating in 1958. He was drafted into the Army in July of 1963 and served until 1965.

After returning home from the service, he had the opportunity to go with friends to Canada, and he did this for six months where he spent time hunting many black bears. Upon his return home, he worked in the Post and Pole business with Iran Borup and Don Christenson. During these years, he also logged independently with Calvin (Scott) Borup.

On August 8, 1973, he married Sonja Johnson and immediately gained two children, Twyla and Troy. At this point he began building pole barns for Lambert Lumber in Sturgis and contributed to the building of numerous log homes in the Whitewood area. But his real love was the Timber business. Cutting down those big trees and, believe it or not, loading those posts all by hand was part of his favorite memories. Technology then took over and he worked for years with Merlyn Aker where Merlyn loaded the big truck with an actual machine called a loader.

Years later, one of his biggest challenges in the lumber industry came in the form of clearing trees into four class poles for Grandpa Nonnast on his property to be hauled over the hill to Wheeler Lumber. The challenge lay in that he had a single chainsaw, one big red army truck and loading would need to be completed by hand. Challenge Accepted! There was never a doubt that this job would be completed well and in a timely manner.

In later years, Eugene was an artisan and a builder. You name it and he could build it. His famous line was “When you measure, you better be right or else!” He built student desks, chests of drawers, bunk beds, assorted furniture, cupboards, decks, playhouses, sandboxes, and people’s homes. He was a stickler for detail regardless of the magnitude of the project. His legacy lives on in those things around us and the love and heart he put into each and every one.

Parkinson’s Disease and what it took away was a great challenge for Eugene. Many of his gifts were created with his hands and the last six years were a frustration for him and for all who loved him as we watched him struggle. Those struggles are now over.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Sonja Nonnast, Whitewood, SD; two children - daughter, Twyla Barden (Lane Barden), Whitewood, SD and son, Troy Geis (Lisa Geis), Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren, Cady Klynsma, Carsey Clement, Kellen Barden, Dani Geis, Josie Geis, Samuel Geis; and seven great-grandchildren, Gatsby Clement, Folsom Clement, Killarney Clement, Bexleigh Barden, Seaver Barden, Winter Klynsma, Reverie Klynsma; three sisters, Betty Swanson, Plattsburg, MO, Rita Schwartz, Sturgis, SD, Shirley Wennberg, Sturgis, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Eugene was preceded in death by his mother and father, August and Jenny Nonnast; two brothers - William Nonnast and Joe Nonnast; three brothers-in-law - Bill Schwartz, Charles Wennberg, and Ole Swanson; and two Sisters -in- law - Berneatte Nonnast, Marcella Nonnast.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 10, 2026, 11:00 am, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Interment at the Black Hills National Cemetery immediately following the service. The family invites you to join them after the interment ceremony at the Whitewood Senior Citizen’s Center for food and fellowship.