Gene DeWit
Eugene “Gene” DeWit, age 97, of Canby, Minn. passed away on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at the Sanford Canby Medical Center. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at the First Presbyterian Church in Canby. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Eugene DeWit passed away on Feb. 14, 2026, at Sanford Canby Hospital, at the age of 97. Gene was born on Oct. 26, 1928, in Sioux Center, Iowa, to Cornelius and Johanna DeWit. He was the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1947. He attended and graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He loved playing football, baseball and basketball. He married his high school sweetheart, Norma Dykstra, on Dec. 28, 1950. They just celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Gene served in the Army during the Korean War. They moved to Canby in 1953 to work at the Coast-to-Coast Store with his brother Jul. Gene worked there for 39 years. Keeping with his love of sports, he played town baseball and church softball. He refereed high school football and basketball for many years. He was a fireman for 21 years and on the City Rec Board for 23 years. Gene and Norma were members of the Presbyterian Church where he was very active as Elder, Trustee, Deacon, Lector, Lay Preacher and Sunday School teacher.
Gene is survived his children: Ruth (David) Santjer, Paula Neff, Ann (DeLon) Clarksean and Neal (Tonya) DeWit; grandchildren: Amy (David) Mahon, Bill (Brook) Santjer, Joel (Katie) Santjer, Mark (Kellie) Santjer, Jennifer Groninga, Jonathon (Beth) Groninga, Aaron Clarksean, Mike Kack, Becky (Ryan) Amundson and Jordan (Kellen) Clarksean; 19 great-grandchildren and two sisters-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and sisters and their spouses, two brothers-in-law, and his granddaughters, Sarah Groninga and Mandy Kack.
Gene was the best husband, dad and granddad anyone could ever want. He will be sadly missed.