Eugene Blaine Jewell

Eugene Jewell of Brook Park passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis at the age of 88.

Eugene Blaine Jewell was born June 13, 1931 to Charles and Edna (Anderson) Jewell at their home in Pokegama Township.  He was the oldest child of five siblings.

Gene spent his early childhood helping out his dad on the farm and learned the carpentry trade from his father. He attended the country school #42 in Brook Park.  His days were filled with hard work and fun with his siblings. He attended Pine City High School and graduated in 1948. From the age of 16 until he entered the service, he worked with his father in the carpentry business.  Gene enlisted in United States Air Force in 1950 and served during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1954.  Following his service he earned a degree in agriculture from the University of Minnesota.

At the age of 30, he married his beloved wife, Evelyn Bergwick and established the family farm in Brook Park where they have lived for 57 years. Together they raised five BEAUTIFUL daughters: Robin, Susan, Debra, Lynda and Tracy. Gene spent his entire career as a master carpenter and worked for numerous construction companies. Eventually he started his own business with the final company being Jewell Bergwick Construction until his retirement in 2004. He was very proud of all the work he had done especially on the Hinckley Train Depot. Gene could do anything and taught many the carpentry trades.

Gene always felt he could do more by helping others. He was a volunteer on the Brook Park Fire Department for 29 years and 15 of those years served as Chief. He was a member of the Gideons International for 25 years, and was devoted to spreading God’s words until the very end. He was on the Brook Park Cemetery Board and was on the committee for the Veterans Memorial. He volunteered his time and built a house for Habitat for Humanity in Hinckley.

Faith was a big part of Gene’s life where he volunteered a lot of his time. He was a member of the Brook Park United Methodist Church where he was a board member, Lay leader, Sunday school teacher and youth leader. Later on, he was a member on the Henriette Community Church where he was on the board, supervised and assisted in many projects. He was so proud of all the work they did in the church, especially fixing the roof. Gene wrote that his most joyous times involved camping at Camp Lake with family and friends. His hobbies included camping, fishing, deer hunting, carpentry work, refinishing furniture and he loved raising his family. He always wants his family to remember to do the best that you can and there will always be work. He wants his family and friends to enjoy...Life is too short to argue and fight. Read the Bible every day and pray every day. Love one another and never let the sun set on an argument.

Eugene is survived by his wife Evelyn Jewell of Brook Park; children Robin (Ray) Baker of Zimmerman, Susan (Tony) Haag of Polaris, Montana, Debra (Terry) Peterson of Pine City, Lynda (Doug) Dewitt of Ladysmith, Wisconsin, Tracy (Brandon) Lucht of Braham; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers Al (Eileen) Jewell of Maryland, Roger (Mary) Jewell of Pennsylvania, Wally (Delores) Jewell of Mora; sister Janice Oakes of Cambridge; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Edna Jewell; brother Jerry Jewell; brother-in-law Donald Oakes.

Pastor Joel Preston will officiate at funeral services for Eugene: 2 PM; Sunday, December 1, 2019 at the Pine City Evangelical Free Church-Lighthouse.  A time of visitation and reviewal is planned from 4-8 PM Saturday (11/30/19) at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City and also one hour prior to the service at the church.  The interment will take place in Brook Park Cemetery.

Memorials in Gene’s memory may be directed to: The Gideons International, Pine City Camp P.O. Box 760, Hinckley, Minnesota 55037

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City - Swanson Chapel.

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com