Eugene Hart

EUGENE HART, age 88, of Waseca died on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at his home in Waseca. 

Born on June 27, 1936, in Mountain Lake, he was the son of William and Carol (Sneer) Hart. On September 2, 1955, Eugene was united in marriage to Gloria Deuth at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Heron Lake, Minnesota. 

Eugene worked at Toro Co. in Windom for several years before moving to Beaverton, Oregon in 1961, where he worked in the quality control department for Precision Casts Parts. In 1968, he purchased the Gaslite Motel in Waseca. In 1971, Eugene purchased the Maplewood Inn Restaurant next door to the Gaslite Motel. In 1973, he opened the new Waseca Cinema Theater which he owned and operated until 1985. Eugene went into real estate in 1983 and became a partner in Century 21 First Choice as a broker real estate agent and owner. During his time in real estate, he was a partner in the development of Waseca housing with Prestige Development Corp., Parkridge Twins Inc., and Waseca Property Management. Eugene retired in 2001. While in business, Eugene believed in giving back to his community where he spent countless hours fundraising for the addition to the Waseca Hospital. He was a member of the Waseca Chamber of Commerce where he served as president, he was also a member of the Waseca Lions Club and St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. 

In Eugene’s later years, he and his wife spent time visiting their children and wintering in Florida. He enjoyed traveling, camping, reading, biking, fishing, golfing, and hunting. Eugene’s greatest pride was being a devoted husband and father. He found great happiness in his grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Eugene is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Gloria of Waseca; children: Debra Fowler of Dawsonville, GA, Kim (Al) Calcagno of Portland, OR, Karie (Todd) Conway of Waseca; seven grandchildren: Shane Hart, Katie (Anthony) Powell, Jonathan (Katie) Fowler, Thomas (Emily) Fowler, Matthew Fowler, and Reid Conway, Cole Conway; four great grandchildren: Lylah Hart, Charlotte, and Hannah Powell, and Michael Fowler; other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, William Marion Harding; half-brother, William Michael Harding; son-in-law, Michael Fowler. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 2:30 PM at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. Visitation will be held on Saturday, one hour before services at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Cancer Research Institute.