Eugene Byron Wondercheck, 54, of Kennard, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, at his home.

Following Mr. Wondercheck's wishes, there will be no services.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair was in charge of arrangements.

From Luncheon Card

Eugene Byron Wondercheck Eugene (Gene) Byron Wondercheck was born January 9, 1960 to Ernest and Ellen (McKathnie) Wondercheck in Lincoln, NE. He passed away January 9, 2014 at his home in Kennard, NE at the age of 54 years. Gene was in a long-time relationship with his significant other, Pamela Fox.

As per Gene’s wishes, he was cremated and his ashes will be scattered at a later date. The family will host a luncheon in Genes honor Tuesday at the Grace United Methodist Church in Kennard.

After graduating from high school at North Loup-Scotia in 1978, Gene farmed in Mira Valley, south of Ord, for several years. He later enjoyed a challenging career in engineering support and safety for large petrochemical construction projects living in Texas, and working at the Red Dog Mine in Alaska, Panama, and the US Virgin Islands as well as many other locations around the country. He received his certification in Non-destructive Testing. Gene also worked for ADM at the ethanol plant in Columbus and later on the Cargill site in Blair, NE and in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

As a teenager, Gene developed a passion for flying while watching the crop dusters and later working with them, at the airport adjoining the family farm near Scotia. He received his private pilot’s license at the age of 16, and later, his commercial license. He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed biographies of successful people who had overcome significant obstacles on their path to success.

Gene’s passions included gardening, photography and flying. He loved to share his wealth of knowledge with his family and friends, helping them to solve life’s issues or building of their projects.

In addition to Pamela, Gene is survived by his brother Bob and his significant other, Grace Coufal of North Loup, his sister, Patrice Wondercheck of Houston, TX, Pam’s family, who were very close to Gene, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~