Eugene M. Ames

Eugene "Sonny" Ames, passed away 

Eugene Martin Ames was born to Martin and Elsie (Westphal) Ames on September 9, 1929 at the family home in rural Munich, North Dakota.  Many people knew him as Sonny or Gene.  When Gene was around 10 years old, the family moved to the “Forest Grove” farm. Gene helped with the move by herding the pigs to the farm. Gene attended the Huron Country School. A sister, Carol was added to complete the family.

Happy growing up memories included getting together with the Scott and Buntjer cousins because there was always lots of activities and going to Bible Camp at Red Willow Lake.

In the winter of 49-50, the family bought an Air Stream RV and were gone for three months to the Western states, California and Oregon. Gene remembered visiting many cousins and making new friends. Gene and Hank Goertzen spent two winters in Joliet, Illinois and worked house construction with the Biava relatives.

Gene settled down and was united in marriage to Mary Lou Klein in 1957. They had three sons: Corey, Casey and Marty. Mary Lou died in 1969 of Hodgkin’s disease.  Gene later married Evelyn Klein and she passed in 2014.  Later that year, Gene moved into the Good Samaritan Home in Devils Lake.

Gene is survived by his sons Corey (Gail) Ames of Devils Lake, Casey (Gloria) Ames and Marty (Suzy) Ames all of Moore, Oklahoma; four grandchildren;  eight great grandchildren and his sister Carol Kinnischtzke of Glen Ullin, North Dakota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary Lou, wife Evelyn and brother-in-law Karyl “Butch” Kinnischtzke.

Graveside Services were held for Gene at the Alsen Cemetery.