Eugene “Gene” James Carman, 91

November 20, 1934 -

December 15, 2025

 

   Eugene “Gene” James Carman, age 91, of Cresco, passed away on Monday December 15, 2025, at Evans Senior Living in Cresco.

   Funeral services was held at 11:00am on Monday, December 22, 2025, at Immanual Lutheran Church in Cresco, with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial took place at the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco.

   Gene was born in Pocahontas, IA on November 20, 1934, the son of Virgil and Cecelia (Hronek) Carman, alongside his twin sister Jeane. Gene grew up in rural Webster County and attended Gilmore City High School until age 16 when he began farming with his father near Clare, Iowa.

   Gene was united in marriage to Judy Jacobson on March 9, 1956, in Spring Valley, Minnesota. Together, they were blessed with five children. In 1963, Gene and Judy purchased their farm near Davis Corners in rural Howard County, where Gene devoted himself to farming and raising livestock. In addition to his life on the farm, Gene drove school bus for the Howard-Winneshiek Community School District, where he was known for maintaining discipline while also showing a kind heart, treating the children with an endless supply of candy bars.

   Gene took delight in dancing with Judy at The Surf, The Inwood, and Matters Ballrooms. He enjoyed shooting pool in Lime Springs, often competing for boxes of candy bars, and was always ready for a card game. Gene had a deep love for the outdoors and spent much of his life hunting and fishing. One of his greatest joys was the annual Carman Family Reunion, which brought Carman’s together from across the Midwest for a weekend filled with laughter, good food, and a spirited horseshoe tournament.

   Gene is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Judy (Jacobson) Carman; their children Dennis (Kelly), Sheryl (Tom) Cray, Roger (Jan), and Keith (Tracy); grandchildren Michael (Nicole) Carman and Kadie (Colin) Meyer, Amanda (Jeff) Davis and Adam (Katherine) Christoffersen, Jacob (Brooke), Jessica, and Caleb Cray, Evan (Cari) and Gavin (Kelley) Carman, Allie (Trey) Nuss, Luke and Riley Carman; 27 great-grandchildren; sister Dorothy Christiansen and sister-in-law MaryAnn Carman.

   Gene was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Lorrie Carman, brothers Gerald, Dale, and Virgil Carman, Sisters Doris Troxel and Jeane Ahart, sisters-in-law Marcia and Donna Carman, brothers-in-law Stanley Troxel, Arvin Christiansen, and Bill Ahart, and several nieces and nephews.

   Memorials may be directed to Howard County Hospice or The Salvation Army – Don Davis Fund.

   Schmelzer Funeral Home in Cresco is handling the arrangements.