Gene Gasser

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Eugene Michael Gasser passed away Thursday, March 17, 2016, in his home at the age of 94.

Mr. Gasser was born February 5th, 1922, in Pierce City, Missouri to William and Katherine (Golden) Gasser, and was a lifelong resident of Pierce City. Mr. Gasser married Rose Marie Gasser (Saenger) on September 27, 1949, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City, MO and she preceded him in death on February 18, 2002. Together, they had eight wonderful children. Mr. Gasser was preceded in death by his daughter, Jeannie Gasser, in 1992, and an infant son, Michael Gasser, in 1952. Surviving children include: Pat Mitchell and husband, Danny, of Fairview, MO, Carolyn Gasser of Mission, KS, Randy Gasser and wife, Kerri, of Grain Valley, MO, David Gasser and wife, Lora, of Oak Grove, MO, Jerry Gasser and wife, Juvy, of Santa Fe, TX, and Gary Gasser and wife, Susie, of Monett, MO. two brothers: Larry and Ed of Pierce City, MO, three sisters: Julia Friz of Monett, MO, Kathleen Fritts of Van Buren, AR, and Margaret Gilmore of Shell Knob, MO. Mr. Gasser loved the outdoors and was nicknamed “Nature Boy” by his family at a young age. In his early years, he ran films at the matinée in Pierce City, MO. After graduating from Pierce City High School in 1942, he left for California to wire war ships during World War II. Following the war, he returned home to Pierce City, MO and married Rose Marie Saenger, a high school classmate. 

Mr. Gasser returned from California with excellent electrical skills and soon opened Gasser Electric. He began with residential wiring but soon started wiring local industrial buildings such as Tyson’s, EFCO, Wells Aluminum, Marsh Engineering, R & M Industries, and Monett School District buildings. Mr. Gasser believed in hard work, and began building residential apartment buildings in both Monett and Pierce City. When not wiring or building apartments, he could be found working in his garden and with his Hereford cattle or fishing on Grand Lake and the Neosho River.
Mr. Gasser leaves behind seven grandchildren: Brandon and Lindsey Mitchell of Fairview, MO, Erin Carnes and husband, Zach, of Columbia, MO, Brittany Washam and husband, Dereck, of Pierce City, MO, Joseph, Hailey, and Kaylyn Gasser of Kansas City, MO, and three great-grandchildren: Lexie, Tesni, and Taryn all of Fairview, MO. Mr. Gasser was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City, MO. 

Rosary will be held on Sunday, March 20th at 6 PM at St Mary's Catholic Church with visitation to follow. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, March 21st at St. Mary’s Catholic church with Father Peter Morciniec officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s cemetery.