Gene Nugent

Wesley "Gene" Nugent, 74, of Yankton, S.D., formerly of Sioux City and Hinton, Iowa, died peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006, at his home after a lengthy illness, with his wife at his side.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Craig Bock officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Gene, the youngest son of Charles and Minnie (Noble) Nugent, was born in Cannelton, Ind., on April 25, 1932. Gene, his parents and two older brothers moved from Cannelton to Bronson, Iowa, during the Depression. As a child, he attended Leeds country schools and graduated from Leeds High School. At the age of 19, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and upon discharge, began working for Doc Beaulieu at Beaulieu's Garage.

It was then that he met the love of his life, Joan S. Miller of Hinton. The two were married on Sept. 1, 1956, in Sioux City and were fortunate to have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before his death. Shortly after, Gene started Nugent's Cartage Company. In 1962, he began driving a truck for Howard Hocroft at Premier Trucking. The couple lived in Sioux City for a number of years until they decided to move their young family to Romeoville, Ill. The family returned to Sioux City in 1969, and Gene became a career truck driver for Pamida until his retirement.

Gene and Joan moved to an acreage north of Hinton in 1990, where they enjoyed life and reacquainted with old friends. The two continued on their life's adventure. After some traveling in their motor home and wintering in Florida and California, settled in Yankton, where they had spent the last six years.

Gene was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church. He was an avid woodworker, making beautiful presents for his family and friends. He enjoyed camping, boating and hunting but some of Gene's favorite memories were those of the fishing trips he took with his three sons.

Gene will be missed by his family and friends. Left behind are his wife, Joan; sons, Scott and wife, Terry of Le Mars, Iowa, Larry and wife, Lisa of Sioux City and Mark and wife, Margaret of Carlsbad, Calif.; two brothers, Jim and wife, Marjorie of Detroit, Mich. and David and wife, Mickey of Sioux City; grandchildren, Angie Hutchinson and husband, Jenee', Tyler, Brea, Lauren, Nic and Austin Nugent; his mother-in-law, Pearl Miller of Le Mars; a brother-in-law, Jim Miller of Hinton; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Arthur Miller; and a brother-in-law, Donald.

Memorials may be directed to Yankton's Avera Sacred Heart Hospital's Hospice Unit.