Gene Drewitz

Gene Drewitz, age 58, of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Monday, March 6, 2023 at Monument Health in Rapid City.
It is with heavy hearts and bittersweet admiration that the Drewitz family announces the passing of Gene Lanne Drewitz, 58, of Rapid City, formerly of Wall, South Dakota, from this world on March 6, 2023. A loyal father, dedicated son, and devoted friend to many, Gene passed away after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Gene was born June 7, 1964 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the son of Marilyn and Alvin Drewitz. An athlete and member of Glee Club and choir, Gene graduated from Wall High School in 1983, where he held the school shot-put record up until 1997 and the discus until 1995. He then attended Dakota State University and Black Hills State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a passion guided by his desire to understand others, but if we’re honest, he should have majored in comedy.
After college, he returned home to Wall, where he worked closely with his family and met Misty Drewitz, his companion and the mother to his children Hannah and Haden, born in 1996 and 1999. Their children remained the lifelong building blocks of their relationship. As a father, he was dedicated to providing for his family and made sure all of his time was spent maintaining warmth and love in his home along with a lot of laughs. His later years were spent working, hunting, playing with his furry companion, Holly, and bringing laughter and light to all around with a quick joke or a compliment. Gene loved to make everyone around feel special and he did it with ease.
His love reached far beyond his family, and his compassion for others lasted until the end of his life. From a friendly smile around the community, to prayer with the members of Rock Point Church in Rapid City, he always made sure that those around him felt loved and heard and caught a quick joke when someone’s spirits needed lifted.
Gene is remembered by his children: Hannah and Haden Drewitz; friend and mother of his children, Misty Drewitz; mother, Marilyn Drewitz; sisters Gina (Matt) Brekhus and Gwen (Steve) Fuelling; nieces: Molly, Brittany, Caitlin, and Alissa; nephews: Jakob and Teddy; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Gene was preceded in death by his father Alvin.
Visitation will be held 9:30 a.m. until service time on Saturday, March 11, at the Community Center in Wall.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at the Community Center in Wall.
Private family interment will follow at the Wall Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Wall.