Eugene “Gene” Nordeen passed away on May 25th from a heart attack. He was 81 years old.

Gene was born in Shelby Montana to Virgil and Leona Nordeen. He was raised in Sunburst, MT where he graduated from North Toole County High School in 1961. Gene enjoyed sports and played football, basketball, and baseball while in school. He then joined the Navy in January 1962. He was able to travel to many places and served until May 1966.

After returning to Montana, he married Margaret “Peggy” McLachlan at the United Methodist Church in Sunburst, MT. They were to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary on June 29th.

After the Navy, he worked for the Anaconda Copper Company in Great Falls, MT. Gene and Peggy welcomed two girls while living in Great Falls, Erica, and Margene. In 1981 Gene and his family moved to Bremerton Washington to work at the Puget Sound Navel Shipyard as a pipefitter; the job he did while in the Navy. He retired from the Shipyard in 2002.

Gene enjoyed retirement and had many activities to keep him busy. He worked for the Seattle Seahawks, as an usher, for one season, played on an adult softball league, helped at Brownsville United Methodist Church with various yard work and maintenance, and spent time square dancing and going to movies with Peggy.

Gene and Peggy enjoyed traveling to Arizona to visit Erica and her family. They looked forward to watching grandkids’ activities and attending Seattle Mariners baseball games during spring training. Most of all, they loved to take cruises with his brother and his wife. They traveled throughout the world including the Caribbean, Europe, South America, Alaska, and Canada. Most recently a two-week Mediterranean cruise.

In 2018, Gene and Peggy moved to Spokane, WA to be closer to Margene and her family. They joined the Moran United Methodist Church and stayed active within the church helping with yard maintenance and various activities. Gene enjoyed attending their granddaughters’ sports and school events. Gene was always willing to help a neighbor or friend and was always working in the yard.

Gene was preceded in death by his father Virgil, mother Leona, brother Gary, and sister Marjorie.

Gene is survived by his wife Peggy, and daughters Erica and Margene (Mike). His brothers Jim and Denny (Dorothea); and several nephews, cousins, and 4 grandkids Ashley, Austin, McKenzie, and Molly.

In lieu of services, please consider a donation to: American Diabetes Association (https://diabetes.org/ADA), P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023, or, Moran United Methodist Church, 3601 E 65th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223 (https://www.moranumc.org/).

No services at this time.