Eugene “Gene” H. Habets, 77, of Dutton, Montana, passed away June 15, 2017, at home with his family.
Gene was born on January 12, 1940, in Conrad, MT, to Eugenius “Eugene” Hubertus and Irene (Slezak) Habets. Eugenius emigrated from The Netherlands with his father in 1913, and Irene’s parents emigrated from Silesia. Growing up Gene worked on the family farm and silver mine near Valier.
Gene married Lois Ann Franklin on December 2, 1967, in Anaconda, MT. Their children and grandchildren were the loves of their lives. After crossing the country as a custom cutter, Gene worked in a mine in Anaconda, was road superintendent for Pondera County and owned a restaurant in Conrad. After retiring the first time, Gene was a mechanic with A&P Motors and Greyn’s Supply in Dutton. In his spare time he flood irrigated and worked on cars. His favorite car was a 1958 Chevy Impala.
Gene is survived by four of five daughters, LaVee (Kenneth) Arnold of Shelton, WA, Vi Habets of Dutton, Char (JC) Shepard of Pagosa Springs, CO, and Farlee (John) Albertson of Bremerton, WA, and his five brothers and sisters. His grandchildren include Tyler (Jessicca) Arnold of Helena, Chris Albertson of Shelton, Carrie Carlbom (Austin Christopherson) of Rawlins, WY, Mallory Arnold of Lacey, WA, Sarah Albertson of Bremerton, Cyndi Albertson of Shelton, Steven Werre of Dutton, Derek Carlbom of Dutton, Dominique Albertson of Bremerton, and Brian Carlbom of Pagosa Springs. Gene was preceded in death by his wife Lois, daughter Noreena Habets, parents and one brother.
A vigil service took place June 20, at 7pm, and funeral mass June 21, at 1pm, both at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Choteau. Burial followed at Dutton Cemetery under the direction of Gorder Jensen Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute or Lions Club of Choteau, Easter Egg Hunt Bicycle Fund.