Gene Paolini, 78, Owatonna

Gene Michael Paolini, age 78, passed away peacefully in Owatonna, on Dec. 26, 2024. He was born in St. Cloud in 1946.

Gene is survived by his wife, Linda Paolini. Gene was a loving father of Alicia Ishum,

Gene Paolini Jr., Denise Espe, David Paolini, Deborah Coots, Chris Paolini, and Bambi Hamilton. He was a grandfather to over 28 grandchildren and a great-grandfather to over 32 children and counting. He is also survived by many other extended family and friends.

Gene served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years and retired as a senior chief in 1989. After retiring, he worked at Walmart for 15 years and was also a devoted volunteer at his local church. He dedicated years of volunteering as a board member, and head of the ushering/greeting team. Gene was always a dear friend and had a smiling face for everyone who met him. His hard work and dedication showed through family, work, and his faith walk.

Gene loved time with his family, getting together for holidays, birthdays, and Sunday luncheons. His hobbies included playing cards on card nights, making puzzles, building models of Navy ships, building Legos, and doing cryptogram puzzles.

The family will receive friends Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, from 9:30-11 a.m. at Radiant Church, 1650 7th Ave. NE, Owatonna, with a Memorial Service to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery with Military Honors by the Steele County Funeral Unit.

For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.