Howard Eugene "Gene" Shaff was born in Edison, SD, on September 5, 1925, to Howard and Minnie (Huggins) Shaff. He grew up in Faith and attended school in the Faith and Edison area. Gene married Gertrude Sundstrom on November 11, 1944, in Deadwood, SD. On December 21,
1944, he entered active service in the U.S. Army at Fort Snelling, MN. He spent two years active duty with some of his time in the South Pacific Theater. Gene was honorably discharged on October 17, 1946, at Fort Lewis, WA. He returned home to Faith to his wife and daughter. Gene
ranched for a short time before starting a 43-year career with the South Dakota Department of Transportation. He retired in 1988 and remained in Faith with Gertrude until she passed away on November 23, 1996. He later moved into assisted living in Sturgis.

Gene, 85, Sturgis, died Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Gene is survived by two sons, Doyle (Barb Collins) Shaff, of Sioux Falls and Doron (Sarah) Shaff of Faith; two daughters, Shirley (Leroy) Reinert of Timber Lake and Loretta (Bob Moen) Newell of Quartzsite, AZ; one halfbrother and 3 half-sisters; and many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren
and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by both parents; his wife; a daughter, Sheila; a granddaughter, Maritta; a brother, Wallace; and two half sisters, Anna and Lorraine.

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