Gene Sheldon Lewallen, M.D.
Monday, January 4, 1926
Date of Death:
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Age:
91 years old
Monday, January 4, 1926
Date of Death:
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Age:
91 years old
Monday, January 4, 1926
Date of Death:
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Age:
91 years old
Gene Sheldon Lewallen, M.D.
Gene Sheldon Lewallen was born January 4, 1926 in Huron, South Dakota. He grew up in the Black Hills with older brothers, Donald and Harold, and younger brother, Bob. His mother, Ruth, moved the family into Rapid City and continued her work as a public health nurse after the birth of twin daughters, Ada and Ann. Gene was their older brother and father figure. Upon graduation from high school in 1944, he joined the Army and served in WWII. He completed studies at Huron College and the University of South Dakota. He graduated from Medical School in Omaha, Nebraska in 1953.
Gene served the communities of Lennox, South Dakota and Mora, Minnesota in general practice as he and his first wife, Vernita, raised their four children. He was accepted into an orthopedic residency at The Mayo Clinic 1963-1967. His orthopedic practice in Lincoln, Nebraska spanned 25 years at The Lincoln Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Center where he was respected for his orthopedic care and surgery. He was the real deal in every arena: friend, professional, and human being.
Gene and Bobbi were blessed with two children. They devoted themselves to all their children. The family farm was a place of work, play, and time to connect. They moved to Rochester, MN after Gene’s retirement where he loved the change of seasons and the opportunity to visit with his siblings and extended family in Minnesota and Montana. He introduced his family to snow skiing and loved to sail. He was an avid fisherman and endeavored to tie his own dry flies. Gene was a member of The American Legion, The Mark Coventry Orthopedic Society, and Redeemer Lutheran Church.
He passed into heavenly rest on Sunday, August 13, 2017. Gene was admired, respected, and loved by his family and feared by fish. His spouse, six children, 15 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, Bob and Ann, and family and friends knew him to be a model of kindness and work ethic. He was principled, just and had a twinkle in his eye. He is celebrated with great faith which gives inner peace in knowing The Lord Is Risen Indeed!
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 19th at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota with Pastor Adam Koglin officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment with military honors is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2017 at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota.
Condolences
The family of Gene Sheldon Lewallen, M.D. has received the following condolences.
Bobbi,
I appreciated my acquaintance with Gene through our mutual activities. I understood from him that he valued things of eternal and Biblical importance above other things.
God bless you in this chapter of grief with His hope in Christ.
Reuben Unseth
Dear Bobbi,
Dr Lewallan repaired my Fx C5 following an auto accident in 1972, when I was 18. He was gentle, kind, and compassionate. I have always been grateful for both his skill as a surgeon that allowed me to go on and have a normal life, and his bedside manner /twinkling eyes that let me know everything would be all right at the worst time of my then young life.
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He was special person, and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I know he will be smiling down from heaven.
(Bobbi, I was also always grateful that I got to meet you and take that class at Wesleyan together.)
With great sympathy,
Jane Heine
My sympathy and prayers to you. I worked with Dr Lewallen in the operating room in Lincoln for many years. He was a great surgeon and a pleasure to work with.
Kathy May
My sympathy and prayers to the family. I worked with Gene for many years in surgery at Bryan. I will always remember his humor & that twinkle in his eye when he works tell a joke. When he would get mad at himself, he would say "Dammit Lewellan", I still say that to this day when I'm frustrated. What a kind man great surgeon and blessed child God. What a pleasure to have known him.
Bobbi I am so sorry for your loss. My heartfelt sympathy to you and all your family. I pray for your comfort and peace knowing Gene is with our Heavenly Father.
Dr. Lewallen was always a gentleman, even though he was an Orthopaedic Surgeon! Although he retired many years ago, I remember fondly working with him at Lincoln General as a new young nurse. Lincoln, Nebraska, was lucky to have him. Godspeed Dr. Lewallen.
our sympathies to Bobbi and family. Gene was a true gentleman and consummate professional.
a strong, honest, funny man ... I'm sorry for your lost
Dear Bobbie and family,
This comes with sincere condolences and sympathy. You always spoke with such care and deep love for your Gene. I am sorry for your lose,
My prayers,
Ceil & Jerry Wright
Dear Bobbie and family,
This comes with sincere condolences and sympathy. You always spoke with such care and deep love for your Gene. I am sorry for your lose,
My prayers,
Ceil & Jerry Wright
Sending my deepest sympathy to the family. My father died at age 91 also and I don't think we are ever ready to part with them. My father, Harry Friedrich, had a hip revision done by son Dr. Lewallen and had many good years after that and we were so grateful to Dr. Lewallen.
I was a nurse in Lincoln and Dr. Gene Lewallen was a very kind, caring physician to the patients. He certainly touched a lot of lives and we wish we could have cloned him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely,
Peggy Friedrich McCann
Bobbi, I'm so sorry to hear of Gene's passing. My prayers are with you and your family for peace, comfort, and fun memories of a life well-lived! Best,
Gail McNair
Bobbi, My thoughts and prayers are with you on the loss of Gene. I hope you'll be able to cherish your many memories, including those of your time in Lincoln.
Our prayers are with your family at this sad time. May your memories comfort you, and bring you rest knowing he is with our Father in Heaven
Mike & Brenda Capps, Firth NE
Dear Bobbi,
My very deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of Gene. I know that you gave him such beautiful and loving care. Please know that I will pray for you during this sad and difficult time. God's blessings.
Love, Luanne Koshire
Our deepest condolences to Bobbi and family. Gene was the most kindest, generous person and we were fortunate to experience his big heart. We will miss him very much. May God's love comfort you through this difficult time. Love & faith; Kerry, Sarah, Sam & Katie Tasler.
Bobbi & Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Gods Blessings with you all. Gene was a very special man with a warm smile and a twinkle in his eyes. We will miss him greatly
We know your hearts are broken, the Holy Spirit will provide you comfort. Please take this time as a family to hug each other and share you treasured memories of Gene
Gene will always hold a special place in our hearts. Love, Doris, Dianna, Randy,Joan and David
Dear Sweet Bobbi,
I am sorry to learn of your loss. You have my heartfelt sympathy on the death of Gene. Pray the Father of compassion and our God of all comfort will comfort you, now and in the days ahead.
Dear Bobbi, Mark, Katie and Family,
We were so sorry to hear about Dr. Gene's passing. When I was in college, I worked with him and I remember how kind he was to me. I can still taste those bread sticks that he made for Mark and Katie's wedding -- delicious! Mont and I will be thinking of all of you on Saturday, as you celebrate his purposeful and joyful life.
Anne and Monty
My sincere condolences to family members and friends. Gene was a great partner in the public policy field.
Bobbi and family, just want to let you know I am thinking about all of you. Gene was such a wonderful man and I am so glad I have met him and been able to spend time with your family over the years. Blessings and love to all of you. Dorothy Thatcher