Virgene Gaede

Virgene (Gene) Gaede, 84, died February 17, 2025, at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, Kansas. He was born on October 25, 1940, in Lehigh, Kansas to Henry and Mary Lu (Gibson) Gaede. On July 29, 1960, he married Celesta Bucher in Newton. She preceded him in death on August 26, 2015.

He was a longtime active member at First United Methodist Church in Newton. He was a retired salesman for Pluswood Distributors of Kansas. He had previously worked for Randy’s Steaks and had many stories he loved to tell about these places and all the amazing/interesting people he worked with. Gene never met a stranger; he could talk to anyone he crossed paths with. He felt that his mission in life was to spread happiness. Mission accomplished!

Gene is survived by his daughter Becky Gaede and son Robert Gaede (Jessica Lewis), brother Raygene Gaede and sister Rolene (Rosa) Gaede. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Katie and Ashley, one great granddaughter, Ella, and his loving friend Lorraine Morgan.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Eugene Gaede and Lu Gaede, and sisters Darlene Peterson, Marlene Anduss, Charlene “Pickle” Sullivan and Jolene West.

Visitation will be 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Peterson Funeral Home. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Newton with Pastor Kim Andrews presiding. Private family interment will be held.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Kidron and Good Shepherd Hospice for the care and love they bestowed upon Gene. Cancer stinks and they helped us all through the final stages.

Because Gene had a soft spot in his heart for animals and his church, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or Caring Hands Humane Society and left with Petersen Funeral Home.