Gene Henne, 75, died peacefully June 25, 2003 in Kennewick, WA, with his family at his side, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Gene was born September 24, 1927 in Roscoe, SD to Jacob and Emma Henne. He moved to Washington with his family in 1937 and completed his schooling in Outlook, WA. At age 14, he went to work to help support his family.

He met his wife, Iola ''Tootie'' Seat May 20, 1943, in Grandview, WA, and they married June 26, 1947. Gene and Tootie moved to Pasco in the spring of 1948 and later that year Gene began a 30year employment with the City of Pasco as maintenance superintendent at the Pasco Airport. After retiring at age 50, he went to work for the Pasco School District in maintenance, where he worked for over nine years before retiring permanently.

Gene was a very good husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed being with his family and friends and liked doing things for them. He was a terrific handyman, and we all felt if he couldn't fix something, it probably wasn't worth fixing. He was a very hard worker and took pride in everything he did, including the neat appearance of his home that was very important to him. We all love him and will miss him very much.

He was a lifetime member of the Pasco Eagles and enjoyed traveling, watching sports on TV, listening to County and Western music, dancing, gardening, and playing slots in the casinos. When traveling became difficult, he looked forward to going to Daily Donuts in Pasco his favorite place and always said, ''They are wonderful people and have the best donuts ever!''

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Tootie; daughter Patricia Huff and her husband, Richard, Pasco, WA, and daughter Sandra Alexander, Richland, WA; grandsons Jeffrey Marcum, San Enselmo, CA, and Ryan Mercer and wife Cassie, Finley, WA; granddaughter Alison Marcum, Kennewick, WA; and great-granddaughters Gracie and Camryn Mercer, Finley, WA. Other surviving family members include brothers Elmer, Lebanon, OR; Alvin and wife Mary, Pasco, WA; Roland and wife Barbara, Grandview, WA; Richard, Finley, WA; and Harold and wife Dana, Pasco, WA; sisters Leona Wiest, Sacramento, CA; Lorraine Higgins, Wenatchee, WA; Anna Johns, Sunnyside, WA; Venita Stubbs, Sunnyside, WA, Ella Wright and husband Lawrence, Zillah, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Special thanks to Tri-Cities Hospice and Dr. Richard Marquardt and his staff for their caring help.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30, 2003 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Swift Blvd and Highway 240, Richland. Einan's Funeral Home in Richland is in charge of arrangements. Following the services, family and friends are invited to gather for a celebration of Gene's life.

Donations may be made in his name to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House, 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.