Gene Lienemann

ALLIANCE — Gene Lienemann, 93, died April 19, 2022, at Alliance.

Memorial services will be Thursday, May 19, at 2 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, Alliance.

Interment will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery.

Gene was born Nov. 17, 1928, in Norfolk, to Henry D and Emma (Wachter) Lienemann who farmed south of Randolph. Gene graduated from Randolph High School in 1946. His mother died as the result of an accident in 1944 and his father died of colon cancer in 1947. As a result Gene farmed for two years and then went off to school as he had planned before his father’s illness.

Gene was working at a radio station in Sioux Falls, S.D., when the Korean conflict began and the South Dakota National Guard was activated. He became the Radar Section Chief of the unit that was deployed to Fort Richardson, Alaska. At the end of his service he found employment with KSCJ in Sioux City, Iowa, until KSID came calling, offering him a combination job as chief engineer and chief announcer. Gene got acquainted with the Wheatbelt Public Power District by repairing their two-way radios evenings and weekends, until a position became available that offered some interesting challenges. As a result he made the change and spent almost 40 years at the power district, the last 25 years as general manager. In addition to serving on numerous boards and committees associated with the Rural Electric Association, he was active locally in activities associated with the Chamber of Commerce and economic development. He also spent several terms on the Board of WNCC including a number of years as chairman.

Gene is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Margaret; sons, Ron and Barry, both of Rushville, Ind.; four grandsons, and seven greatgrandchildren; daughter-in-law, Shirley, and sister-in-law, Mary Lou.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his son, Steven; his brother, Ron; his grandson, Brian; and his nephew, Lowell.

Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Church, Sidney; Veterans Cemetery, Alliance; Veterans State Cemetery at Alliance Foundation or Panhandle Blocks Quilts of Valor, Alliance. They may be sent in care of the family at 1125 Colorado Avenue, Alliance, NE 69301.