Eugene "Gene” VanVleck

Eugene "Gene" VanVleck, age 82, of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at his home in Rapid City.
Eugene R. VanVleck, better known as “Gene” by his family and friends, was born April 15, 1940, the second of three children born to Gilbert “Skinny” and Pearl (Harden) VanVleck. He grew up in Wall, and graduated from Wall High School in 1958, then attended South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. He went back and worked for his father at VanVleck Lumber Company until purchasing the lumber yard in the mid-1960’s.
In 1972, Gene and three additional investors purchased two motels in Gillette, Wyoming, the Sands Motel and Ramada Inn. The Ramada Inn included a restaurant and bar called the “Gay 90’s” He continued to own and operate them until selling in 1995.
On October 13, 1972, he was united in marriage to Donna Wolf in Rapid City. After selling the Ramada Inn, they moved to Oklahoma for two years. In 1997, the couple moved back to Summerset, South Dakota.
Gene’s wife Donna preceded him in death on August 21, 2010. Gene continued to live in Summerset until 2012, when he moved into Rapid City, where he has since resided.
Gene loved to read, do puzzles, and wore out a few decks of cards in his day. He also enjoyed fishing in his younger years. Gene loved his dogs, and over the course of 35 years he had two in his life. One lived for 19 years, and the other for 16 years, both were named “Tippy”.
Survivors include two sons Mark VanVleck of Wall, and Chuck VanVleck of Philip; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to his wife Donna, Gene was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Richard “Dick” VanVleck; and a sister Marlene (Jack) Brown.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 15, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Pastor Russell Masartis officiating.
Interment will follow at the Wall Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Wall.