Eugene Manske

Eugene Carlton (Gene) Manske, 84, of McGregor passed away Monday evening, February 8, 2016. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 13th, at Zion Lutheran Church, 503 S. Tyler Street, McGregor, with Pastor Christine Farrow officiating. Interment will follow in McGregor Cemetery under the direction of Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive, Woodway, Texas. Visitation with the family will be Friday, February 12th from 6 to 8 P.M. at Grace Gardens.

Gene was born November 13, 1931, in Crawford, Texas, the grandson of German immigrants and son of the late Walter Louis and Lillie (Witte) Manske. As a teenager, he moved to McGregor and graduated from McGregor High School in 1949. He continued his education until joining the U. S. Air Force where he served in the 75th Air Depot Wing in Korea. After the war, he returned to central Texas and earned a B.B.A. from Baylor University in 1956 and graduated from Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU in 1961. He married Rita Faye Anderson in 1956, and was a devoted husband until her death in 2010.

For thirty years, he worked as a banker in McGregor and Gatesville and was active in civic affairs of both communities. He retired from Guaranty Bank & Trust of Gatesville in 1989 and returned to McGregor to work at the family farm. He was named Farmer of the Year in 2011, and retired from farming in 2014. Gene was a member of American Legion Post # 273, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 75th Air Depot Wing Association, and a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church. He had a strong work ethic, respect for the land, a tremendous love for the Lord, his family, the state of Texas, and his country.

Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Walter Earl Manske, and wife of 54 years Rita (Anderson) Manske.

Survivors include two daughters, Gwendolyn Anne Manske of Fort Myers, Florida, Melanie Manske Tidwell and husband Chuck of Corsicana; two granddaughters, Heather Pittman and husband Jamie of Ft. Myers, Florida, Tara Tidwell of Plano; a grandson, Ty Tidwell of Corsicana; one great-granddaughter, Heidi Pittman of Ft. Myers, Florida; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Manske of Waco; and nieces Sharon Wolfe of Lorena and Diane York of Austin.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Lisa Page of Home Instead Senior Care, and the wonderful people of Providence Hospice Place for their excellent care and compassion during our father’s time of need. Without your assistance, he could not have received the care he deserved.

For those desiring, the family suggests Providence Hospice Place, 6700 Sanger Avenue, Waco, TX 76710 or Zion Lutheran Church, 503 S. Tyler Street, McGregor, TX 76657 for memorial contributions.

The Guest Book is available at www.gracegardensfh.com

Visitation

Chapel Service