Gene Kermit Sather, age 57, of Ramona CA, formerly Ulen, MN, died Saturday, December 8, 2012 in Pomerado Hospital in Poway, CA.

Gene Kermit Sather was born January 18, 1955, the son of Kermit and Myrtle (Tweiten) Sather in Moorhead, MN. He was baptized and confirmed his faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. Gene attended school in Ulen and graduated from Ulen/Hitterdal High School with the class of 1973. After graduation, Gene worked road construction in the Moorhead area. He was united in marriage to Doreen Hitterdal and the couple had three daughters. They made their home in the Hitterdal, MN area for a time before moving to Sierra Vista, AZ where Gene owned and operated a landscaping business. He later moved to San Diego, CA and continued to work in construction. Gene thoroughly enjoyed driving his tractors as part of his landscaping and construction business. It was while living in San Diego that he met his current wife, Sandra (Britt) while at a dance. He and Sandra made their home in Ramona, CA for the past several years.

Gene treasured the time he spent with his 11 grandchildren. He loved watching them participate in all of their activities as well as family time together. Gene was a fun, simple and loving man who truly enjoyed life and will be missed by all who knew him.

Gene is survived by his wife, Sandy of Ramona, CA; daughters, Angela (Jaime) Jaquez of Camarillo, CA, Carmen (Ollie) Simpson of Scottsdale, AZ and Christine (Joe) Varga of Surprise, AZ; seven grandchildren, Jaime, Jr., Gabriela and Marcos Jaquez, Caleb and Alexa Simpson, Tristan and Brayden Varga; a step-daughter, Shannon (Joshua) Hoffman of San Diego, CA; a step-son, Bob (Kristina) Stark of El Cajon, CA; four step-grandchildren, Alexis and Haylee Hoffman, Sierra and Michael Stark; a sister, Suzanne (Bryce) Forsythe of Dent, MN; three nieces, Sara (Mark) Carney of Seattle, WA, Amy (Jay) Lere of Moorhead, MN, Erin (Marcus) Transue, currently stationed in Japan and six great-nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Funeral Services were held on Monday, December 17, 2012 at 10:30 AM in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen. Visitation was Sunday, December 16 from 5:30 - 7:30 in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Officiating was Pastor Mike Rueckert with Susan Green and Carol Lockhart providing special music and Sara Carney serving as vocalist. Pallbearers were Bryce Forsythe, Dean Hitterdal, Gary Jacobson, and Rick Wenner .

Interment was in West Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen.