Eugene "Gene" Saumer

Funeral services for Eugene “Gene” Saumer, 86, of Markham, Minnesota, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Heritage Trail Bible Church in McKinley, Minnesota, with Pastor Gus Layman officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Markham Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Aurora.

Gene passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4, 2026, surrounded by family. Though he will be deeply missed, his family rejoices that he has been called to Glory and now rests in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

Gene was born on October 1, 1939, in Duluth, Minnesota to John and Bernadette (Swartz) Saumer. He met the love of his life, Bonnie, while they were in grade school, and together they recently celebrated 64 years of marriage. Gene was employed by Erie Mining Company and retired after 35 years of service and dedicated more of his time to family and serving others.

Gene’s faith in the completed work of Christ on the cross was central to his life. Acts 16:31 “ Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved“ was a favorite verse because it states how simple it is to be saved from a hell we deserve to an eternity in Heaven. He was an active member of Heritage Trail Bible Church for many years. He loved music either listening or singing and playing guitar, drawing, watching the Green Bay Packers, and garage time (whether tinkering on projects or tearing things apart). He especially enjoyed working on his model barn and Cub Cadet tractors, where he could showcase his creativity and mechanical ingenuity. Gene was also known for his wonderful sense of humor while living with Parkinson’s disease and was often sharing jokes, quoting one-liners (often from Blazing Saddles), and bringing laughter to those around him.

Gene is survived by his wife, Bonnie; their children, Lee (Karen Pariseau) Saumer and Thea Barnes; grandchildren, Tabatha (Boris) Western, Samantha (Greg) Delich, David (Crystal) Turner, Brady (Michalina) Littler, Zach Barnes, Anneka (Jeremiah) Yee, and Kate (Micah) Ludwig; 13 great-grandchildren; beloved dog Penny who was his snack partner and extra caregiver; siblings, John (Kathy) Saumer, Dan (Connie) Miller; Janine (Ronald) Highland; sister-in law Darlene Saumer, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by an innumerable number of loved ones he took under his wing during the course of his life and they became family too.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-fathers Ahti Wiita and Robert Kuchta; brothers Jerome Saumer and Robert “Bobby” Saumer; father and mother-in-law Eino and Ellen Johnson; and son-in-law Greg Barnes.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to our many friends for their love, prayers and support, and the joy they brought to Gene’s life, especially through his difficult journey these past few years with his health struggles. We are also incredibly grateful for the staff at Carefree Living in Aurora for the care and kindness shown and Essentia East Range Hospice for their care and support at the end of his journey.