Eugene K. Maloney

Eugene K. Maloney

Eugene K. Maloney, 91, Kennedy, Minnesota, died on November 13, 2009, at Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center in Hallock, Minnesota.

Gene was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 17, 1917 to Joseph and Rose (Petsch) Maloney. He spent his early years living with his family in the Maloney Hotel in St. Paul. The hotel was owned by his grandfather, James F. Maloney. Gene’s father managed the hotel and had an apartment there where they raised their large family.

Gene attended St. Matthew’s Catholic School through grade 8. He then went on to attend Humboldt High School in St, Paul, graduating in 1934. He was a member of his school’s newspaper staff. His secret passion was writing and although he could not afford to go to college, he took a correspondence course in journalism that he enjoyed.

After graduation Gene worked for the MB Coffee Company and was employed with them for seven years. During this time, he met his future wife, Ruby Lundell, who was employed in the home of Gene’s boss. She later worked for the coffee company demonstrating their products and Gene was her “driver.” They became very close and dated for three years before Gene was drafted into the Army in 1941.

Gene was stationed at several bases including Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas. He attended Officer Candidate School in Georgia. He attained the rank of Captain before the end of his time in the Army. On a 10 day furlough from Georgia, Gene went back to St, Paul and married the love of his life, Ruby Lundell, on November 18,

1942 in St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Gene and Ruby began their family while in the military, having two sons, Timothy and Daniel. He was honorably discharged in 1947 after serving six years with the United States Army.

Gene and Ruby moved their family back to Warren, Minnesota after the Army where they founded a new coffee business, “The Red River Valley Coffee Company.” They sold the business and moved to Kennedy, Minnesota where Gene owned and operated Farmer’s Oil Company and later Southside 66 in Hallock for 58 years, retiring in 2005.

Gene and Ruby were active members of the Evangelical Mission Covenant Church in Kennedy. They raised four children, Timothy, Daniel, Maureen, and Gregory. Sadly, Greg died in 2000 and Ruby died in 2004.

Gene became a resident at Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center on February 1, 2008.

Surviving family members are sons, Timothy (Marylu) Maloney, Virginia Beach, VA; Daniel (Cynthia) Maloney, Hallock, MN; daughter, Maureen Fletcher, Mesa, AZ; and daughter-in-law, Cathy Peterson, Warroad, MN; grandchildren, David & Sarah Maloney, St. Louis Park, MN; Emily Fletcher, Mesa, AZ; Erin Fletcher, Kennedy, MN; Paul Maloney, Thief River Falls, MN; Philip Fletcher, Mesa, AZ; Timothy (TJ) Maloney, Winchester, VA; Michael Maloney, Warroad, MN; great grandson, Destry WhiteEagle II, Mesa, AZ; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby, his son, Gregory, his parents Joseph and Rose, his four brothers, James, Charles, Robert, and Joseph, and his sister, Mary Jane Clarkin.

Funeral service for Gene will be held Saturday, November 21st 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in the Evangelical Mission Covenant Church at Kennedy.

Internment will be in Jupiter Mission Cemetery east of Kennedy, MN.

Visitation will be held at the Austin-Hughes Funeral Chapel in Hallock on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

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