Eugene Edward "Gene" Paklin, 91, Sturgis, died Sunday, April 18, 2010, at the Lippold Hospice Suite of the Sturgis Regional Health Care Center.

Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Inurnment follows at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

A memorial has been established.

Gene was born June 12, 1918, at Chalkbutte, SD, to Eugene I. and Ruth (Belshum) Paklin. He attended rural schools and then attended Agricultural School in Brookings.

Gene married Angie Hughes on March 8, 1948, in Rapid City. They farmed near Union Center, where they raised their children until 1972.

Gene sheared sheep in rural Meade and surrounding counties for over 40 years.

They later moved to Sturgis where they owned and operated Paklin Shoe Repair on Main Street in Sturgis. After selling the shoe shop and retiring, Gene needed something to do. He will be remembered by those seeing him push a lawn mower in Sturgis yards as he mowed up to 32 yards a summer until the age of 85.

Gene was an avid fisherman and spent many weekends fishing with his children and grandchildren.

He loved to garden whether it was flowers or vegetables. He always got the first tomato and had to rub it in just a little.

Gene's greatest joys were watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up. He also enjoyed watching someone else mow his yard.

"Dad inspired us and touched all our lives. We will miss him."

Survivors include two daughters, Dianna (Jack) Venable, Deb (Larry) Taylor, all of Rapid City; two sons, Don Paklin, Buffalo, SD, Doug Paklin, Sturgis; ten grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son, and three sisters.