Gene LaTour
Gene LaTour, lifelong resident of Shakopee, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026, at the age of 89.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM with visitation from 10:00 – 11:15 AM at the Parish of Saints Joachim & Anne (Church of St. Mark) 350 Atwood Street in Shakopee. Father Michael Becker will preside, and Gene’s grandchildren will act as urn bearers. Gene will be laid to rest at Shakopee Catholic Cemetery.
On November 24, 1936, Eugene Sylvester LaTour was born to Nicholas & Hildegard (Unze) LaTour. He was the youngest of five children and raised with humble beginnings on a dairy farm in Marystown, where hard work and early mornings shaped the strong values he carried throughout his life. He attended St. Mark’s School through 8th grade and graduated from Shakopee High School in 1955.
Gene proudly served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged after two years. While in the Army, Gene earned the nickname “Smiley”, and for years many people only knew him by that nickname. Not long after his military service, he met the love of his life, Jackie Mingo, at a dance at the Spring Lake Pavillion. The two were married on June 18, 1960 and shared 65 wonderful years together, raising three children and building a life centered on faith, family, and community.
A dedicated worker, Gene spent 10 years at Thermo King before continuing his career at Rahr Malting Company in the maintenance department, where he worked until his retirement in 1998. He took great pride in his work and was known for riding his moped to work each day. Gene’s metal round-top lunch box is still in the breakroom above the doorway as a tribute to his years of service and dedication to the company.
Gene was a lifelong member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church and an active member of the Knights of Columbus, where he helped with membership efforts, maintenance projects, and the beloved pancake breakfasts for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion.
Family was everything to Gene. He especially cherished time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always ready with a playful joke, a warm smile, and a fresh batch of popcorn. Gene and Jackie enjoyed a permanent camp site at Kamp Dells in Waterville for many fun-filled seasons. They also loved family road trips to places like Detroit Lakes, Wisconsin, and Chicago, creating lasting memories along the way.
In his free time, Gene enjoyed bowling, card club, biking, snowmobiling, and playing games with friends. His nickname, “Smiley,” reflected his cheerful spirit and the joy he brought to those around him.
In his later years, Gene resided at Friendship Manor, where he enjoyed playing bingo, working on puzzles, and reconnecting with old friends. He was well cared for by the staff and continued to share his signature smile with everyone he met.
Gene will be remembered for his kindness, humor, strong work ethic, and the love he had for his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Jackie LaTour; children, Michael LaTour, Sandy (Pete) Buss, and Lori Drong; grandchildren, Amy (Chris) Hoell, Sarah (CP) Schlatter, David Buss, Tony Drong, and Nicole Drong; great-grandchildren, Brody, Megan, Logan, Isabelle, Liliana, McKenna, and Brielle; sister-in-law, Leonette “Lee” LaTour; and many other loving relatives and friends.
He was greeted in Heaven by his parents, Nick and Hildegard LaTour; siblings, Jerome (Marilyn) LaTour, Lorraine Latzke, Elrene “Dick” LaTour, and Mary Lou (Jim) Kroyer; daughter-in-law, Kathlyne “Kathy”; and son-in-law, Mike Drong.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation
