E. Eugene Neven

Gene- Edward Eugene Neven, 84, of Marshalltown, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2015, surrounded by his family at Seasons Hospice Home in Rochester, Minnesota, following complications of heart surgery at St. Marys Hospital. Funeral services for Gene will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Hope United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be Thursday, September, 10, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Marshall County 4-H Foundation, Hope United Methodist Church, Riverside Cemetery Improvement Fund or the donors charity of choice. For more information, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Gene and his family. Gene was born on August 30, 1931, in Des Moines, IA, to John Edward and Mary Murrow Neven. Growing up on a farm in Camp Township, in Polk County, with his early education at Camp #2 one room country school. He was a member of the 4-H Club when Don Harmon was the 4-H and youth leader. His high school graduating in 1950 was from Runnells High School, which is now Southeast Polk School System. He attended and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Agronomy and Journalism. He was a member of the Adelante Fraternity. In the summer of 1954, Gene was 4-H and the youth leader in VanBuren County before entering the Air Force in San Angelo, Texas. Following his service, he was employed as 4-H and youth leader in Jones County, Iowa, from 1957 until 1960 and Extension Assistant Director in Woodbury County 1961- 1967. He followed Don Harmon as Marshall County Extension Director beginning in April of 1967 until his retirement in April of 1992. Working with agricultural groups in the county as well as 4-H Clubs and the Central Iowa Fair involving all ages. His interests in horticulture were shared not only in and out of the office along with the DOWN TO EARTH Column in the Marshalltown Times-Republican newspaper for 25 years. He was involved with the Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, Trees Forever Program, Iowa Arboretum Board, Noon Kiwanis Club where he was President from 1972-73, Riverside Cemetery Board, Creative Retirement Committee, Marshall County Continuing History Book Committee (1997), Marshalltown Meals on Wheels Board and Agriculture chair of the United Way Board, 20th Century Club and Marshall County 4-H Foundation just to name a few. He was a charter member of Hope United Methodist Church in 1971. Acknowledgements of his agricultural educational efforts were recognized with the Distinguished Service Award by the National County Agents in 1976, the PRIDE Award from the Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce, and the Horticulture Award from the Iowa Arboretum. His interests of vegetable and flower gardening, woodworking and volunteering were passions of his. The marriage of Gene to Joann McBride Neven took place November 13, 1965, at the 1st United Methodist Church, in LeMars, Iowa. Two children were born to the couple, Adele Kay and Darin Eugene Neven. Gene is survived by his wife; Joann, daughter- Adele (Richard Michael) Pattinson, granddaughter- Ella Joann Pattinson of Rochester, Minnesota; son- Dr. Darin (Stacee Anderson) Neven, MD, of Spokane, Washington. Also surviving are his sister Laura Mae Neven Perrett of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins along with his beloved Schnauzer, Brandy. Predeceasing him were his parents and Joanns parents, Joseph W. and Agnes McBride of Oelwein, Iowa.