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Eugene Francis Bachman, 15 Jan 1935 - 16 Jul 2021

BACHMAN, SUCKOW, MAGNESON, KELDERMAN, HUNTER, BACHMAN-ELLIS, ORR, COCKERY, ARMENT, WILKINSON, JENNINGS, TRIER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 7/29/2021 at 09:56:14

Eugene Francis Bachman passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 16, 2021. He was 86 years old, and lived a long and fruitful life despite having Alzheimer's disease in his final years.

Eugene was born on January 15, 1935, in Winthrop, Iowa, the son of Merlin Francis Bachman and Esther Suckow Bachman. The family lived in rural Lima, Iowa, where his parents farmed and raised livestock following the years of the Great Depression.

He attended the Lima School, a one-room schoolhouse, through the eighth grade. He was known to carry his fishing pole with him to school and hiding it in the weeds where he would then retrieve it after class so that he could fish the Volga River before returning home to help with chores. No doubt, this is when he developed his lifelong passion for fishing. Eugene attended the Fayette High School, graduating with the class of 1953.

Eugene met Alta Magneson in Oelwein, Iowa, in 1954, and decided to marry not long afterward. They were wed on February 5, 1955, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, Iowa. Eight children were born to this union.

Eugene's first job was in the tool room at the Oliver Company in Charles City, Iowa. That job would begin his lifelong work as a tool-and-die maker. He then moved his family to Oelwein, Iowa, where he worked at Oelwein Tool & Die as the lead man in the tool department. In the years there he learned the operations of a small tool-and-die company, which included bringing in new business to support the company' growth. The seeds that were sown from those early experiences then grew into Eugene founding his own company, Bachman Tool & Die in Independence, Iowa, in 1972. He was very proud of building a business that has helped support so many families over the decades.

Many summers, Eugene took his family on vacations to Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. In the summer of 1967, with the destination of Yellowstone National Park, a memorable trip in the family station wagon pulling a pop-up camper was enjoyed by all. He also enjoyed his many fishing and hunting trips to Minnesota and Canada. After retiring, Eugene enjoyed traveling and wintering in his Prevost motorhome in California and Florida, and also living in Waukon and Rhodes, Iowa.

Eugene was proud of his eight children and watching them grow into the husbands and fathers, wives and mothers they are today. This was truly his pleasure. He also loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eugene is survived by his eight children: Lynn Bachman of Madison, Wisconsin, Cheryl Bachman of Seattle, Washington, Jeannie (Kent) Kelderman of West Des Moines, Iowa, Lee Bachman of Swisher, Iowa, Diane (Michael) Hunter of Mesa, Arizona, Leon (Jeanne) Bachman of Independence, Iowa, Karen (Lawrence) Bachman-Ellis of Seattle, Washington, and Robert Bachman of Marengo, Iowa, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Also, surviving Eugene is his brother James (Louise) Bachman of Hazelton, Iowa; and sisters Delores (Bill) Orr of Maynard, Iowa, Marilyn Corkery of Marion, Iowa, Jeannette (Hal) Arment of Shawnee, Kansas, Sharon (Tom) Wilkinson of Atkins, Iowa, and Connie (Neil) Jennings of Hudson, Wisconsin. He is also survived by a close friend, Rick Trier.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Merlin and Esther Bachman; one infant granddaughter, Lisa Hunter; and a daughter-in-law, Nery Bachman.

Eugene will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Next time you are fishing – know you are not alone. Eugene will be beside you enjoying the moment.

Published in The Gazette on July 27, 2021.


 

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