Gene Kjellberg, 89

Gene Kjellberg, 89, of Sauk Centre, MN, formerly of Blackduck, died on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at the Fairway Pines Senior Living.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at Cease Funeral Home in Blackduck, MN on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 1:00-3:00 PM.  A prayer service will be held at 3:00 PM with Rev. Daphne Urban officiating.  Military Honors will be provided by the Minnesota Army National Guard.  Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Blackduck, MN.  

Gene was born on August 23, 1935 in Hallock, MN to Ted and Esther (Lindstrom) Kjellberg.  He attended school in Karlstad, MN, graduating in 1953.  He joined the US Army in 1957 and was stationed in Ansback, Germany.  After he was discharged he attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, graduating with a Master’s of Science Degree.  He married Avonel Schmidt in December of 1959 in Stephen, MN and together they had 2 daughters.  Over the years he was a teacher, principal, and then a Superintendent of Schools in Newfolden and Blackduck, MN.  After he retired from the Blackduck School District he went on to be the Director of Northwest Service Co-op in Thief River Falls, MN.

Gene was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and was active with the Gideon’s International, a Sunday school teacher, a church officer, committee member, and church council president.  He also was active in the community with the Civic and Commerce, Lions Club, which he was the first president of the Blackduck Club, the director of the Memorial History Art Center in Blackduck, member of the Minnesota State High School League, and received an honorary MN FFA State Farmers Award.

Gene always took care of his family lovingly, his parents, wife, daughters, son-in-laws, grandchildren, and parents-in-law.  He loved to deer hunt and fish with his friends and family.  Interaction with his grandchildren, family, and friends was a great joy in his life.  Gene loved to read about history - the Civil War, WWI, and WWII war days.  He also loved to travel to various parts of the United States and Europe, and snowmobile and 4-wheel ride with his Thief River Falls friends in the Four Town area.

Gene is survived by his wife, Avonel of Sauk Centre, MN; his daughter, Carrie Halvorson of Belgrade, MN; and his son-in-law, Kevin Sunell, of Grand Rapids, MN; and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Esther Kjellberg; his daughter, Crystal Sunell; his son-in-law, Paul Halvorson; 2 sisters, Norma Erickson and Erma Swenson; and brother-in-laws, Wade Jones, Nordie Swenson, and Dale Erickson; 

Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com