EUGENE R. ‘GENE’ MOLINE died May 6, 1998, in his Des
Moines, Washington, home. He was 81.
Born January 16, 1917 in Georgetown, Washington, to Barney and
Mary Moline, Mr. Moline was the son of a pioneer Suise Creek family
and the grandson of Finnish immigrants who arrived in the United
States in the early 1800s.
Gene married Rita Mae Gippe in 1966. He worked as a logger in
the northwest and worked at Seattle City Light for 25 years,
retiring in 1978.
He was a member of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor
Association, Branch 20 (now known as Antique Farm Engine and
Tractor Association). He was also a member of Valley City Masonic
Lodge, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Gene enjoyed traveling to
display his old tractors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and four brothers, Roy,
Walter, Albert and Orville Moline.
Mr. Moline is survived by his wife Rita Moline of Des Moines,
Washington, two sons, Roy A. and Melvin Moline, both of Roy,
Washington; two stepdaughters, Sharon Schlecht of Kent and Lorraine
Stanley of Illahee; two sisters, Elsie Wise of Kent and Alena
Johnson of Auburn; eight grandchildren and nine
great-grandchildren.
Submitted by Helen Pearman, Treasurer/Secretary of Antique Farm
Engine and Tractor Association.
