Eugene “Gene” H. Rannow

Obituary

Eugene “Gene” Henry Rannow was born on February 15, 1944, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Elwin and Katherine (Reiner) Rannow. Gene was baptized as an infant on April 2, 1944, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on September 29, 1957, both at St. John’s Church in Biscay, Minnesota. He received his education in Silver Lake, Minnesota, and continued to work on the family farm.

Gene entered active military service in the United States Army on August 24, 1965, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was stationed in Germany while serving his country during the Vietnam War. He received an Honorable Discharge on August 7, 1967, at Fort Hamilton, New York, and achieved the rank of Specialist 4th Class.

After his completing his military service, Gene returned to the Hutchinson, Minnesota area to live and work. He worked at Stearnswood in Hutchinson and Glencoe Manufacturing before being employed at Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) in Hutchinson. Gene retired from 3M after 30 years of employment.

Gene was united in marriage to Sharon Sturges on May 19, 1968. This marriage was blessed with five children, Sherry, John, Shawn, James, and Matthew. They later parted ways. On August 27, 1988, Gene married Barbara (Schlueter) Jansen at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. They resided in Hutchinson, and later moved to Cedar Mills Township, Minnesota. Gene and Barbara shared 37 years of marriage.

Gene was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township. He was also a member of VFW Post 906, and American Legion Post 96.

Gene was a jokester and liked to make people laugh. He enjoyed working on carpentry projects, helping with home projects, attending car shows, and watching NASCAR racing and westerns. Gene was an avid collector of toy tractors and diecast cars. Most of all, Gene loved spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.

Gene passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at GlenFields Living With Care in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 81 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Gene is survived by his:
Wife, Barbara Rannow of rural Litchfield, MN;
Children, Sherry Benedict and her husband, Larry of Maple Grove, MN,
John Rannow and his wife, Jenni of Richmond, TX,
Shawn Rannow and Amy of Hutchinson, MN,
James Rannow and his wife, Jessica of Hutchinson, MN,
Matthew Rannow and Angie Richter of Dresser, WI;
Grandchildren, Ethan Benedict, Braden Benedict, Morgan (Zackary) Whitesides, Dillon (Mallory) Rannow, Courtney Rannow, Abby Rannow, Nicolas (Audrey) Rannow, Kaytlyn (Blake) Mahler, Kendall Rannow, Maia Rannow, Elizabeth Johnson, Maggie Buschel, Chevei Rannow, Avery Rannow, Vanessa Rannow;
Great-grandchildren, Eli Hall, baby Whitesides due in April 2026, Colton Rannow, Oaklynn Rannow;
Brothers, Loren Rannow and his wife, Deb of Hutchinson, MN,
Steve Rannow and Lynn Carlson of Hutchinson, MN,
Neal Rannow and his wife, Wanda of Hutchinson, MN;
Sister-in-law, Marcella Westlund of Litchfield, MN;
Brothers-in-law, Tom Carrigan of Hutchinson, MN,
Darryl Schlueter of Litchfield, MN;
Many Nieces, Nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Gene is preceded in death by his Parents, Elwin and Katherine Rannow; Brother, Gary Rannow; Sister, Cheryl Carrigan;  Father and Mother-in-law, Elmer and Arliss Schlueter; Sister-in-law, Bernice Ulrich; Brother-in-law, Wayne Westlund; Nieces, Dawn Westlund and Emily Ulrich.