Eugene Habicht

Eugene M. Habicht, age 88, of Willmar, died Thursday afternoon, December 27, at GlenOaks Care Center in New London.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 31, at First Presbyterian Church in Willmar with Rev. Richard Underdahl-Peirce officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Military Honors will be provided by the Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post #167 of Willmar. Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Sunday with a 6 p.m. public Masonic service at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to the Boy Scouts of America or the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Eugene Max Habicht was born November 11, 1919, in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, the son of Max and Emily (Reichert) Habicht. He grew up and received his education in Wessington Springs, graduating from Wessington Springs High School in 1937. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a bachelor's degree in business in 1941. Following graduation, he moved to Willmar to work with his father at Habichts' Department Store in downtown Willmar. In November of 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as paymaster with the Seabees Naval Construction Batallion in New Caledonia building airstrips during World War II. He also attended Harvard University for accounting training while in the Navy. In February 1946, he was discharged and returned to Willmar to run the family department store. On June 26, 1949, he married Rosemary Jancik in Sartell and they made their home in Willmar. Gene owned and operated Habichts' Department Store until his retirement in December 1990. Gene was a member of the Elks, American Legion Post #167, Sharon Masonic Lodge, Zuhrah Shrine Temple, and was active with the Willmar Area Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and deacon. He was very active with the Boy Scouts and was an Eagle Scout himself. He enjoyed playing golf, especially with Rosemary.

Gene is survived by his wife, Rosemary of Willmar; three sons, David (and Diann) Habicht of Rapid City, South Dakota; William (and Jayne) Habicht of Eden Prairie, T. Mac (and Ronda) Habicht of Willmar; a daughter, Jane (and Michael) Mandli of Germantown, Wisconsin; six grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; a brother, Bob Habicht of Willmar and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.