A. Gene "Gene" Closson

SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- Allen G. "Gene" Closson, 83, of North Sioux City, S.D., formerly of South Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at a Sioux City hospital, following a brief illness.
Services will be 1 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City, with the Rev. Stephen S. Niles, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors observed. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a Masonic service by Omadi Lodge No. 5 at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.christysmith.com .
Mr. Closson was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Holt County, Neb., the son of Paul E. and Suzie B. (Bowden) Closson. His mother died when he was a young child, and Gene and his brother made their home with their aunt, Audrey Bowden. He completed his early education at Holt County Rural School and O'Neill Public Schools. He served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1952. Following his service in the military, he earned his bachelor of education degree at Wayne State College and earned his master's degree from Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Okla. He then taught briefly in rural Holt County, Neb., and at the Ewing, Neb. School.
He married Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Munsinger on Aug. 14, 1960, in Tabor, Iowa. She died on March 8, 1999, in Sioux City. Gene served as elementary superintendent of the Bassett (Neb.) School. He taught briefly at Irwin Public School. He then spent five years as office manager for the Dakota County ASCS office before he returned to teaching in the South Sioux City School System. In 1969, he joined the Sioux City Community School System, teaching at Smith School until he transferred to East Middle School, where he taught sixth grade mathematics until his retirement.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City. He was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and American Legion Post 307 in South Sioux. He was a member of many Masonic organizations including Omadi Lodge No. 5 in South Sioux, Past Master of Omadi Lodge, Olive Branch Lodge No. 274 of Walthill, Neb., President, Northeast Nebraska Masons, Scottish Rite, Sioux City Valley, Abu Bekr Shrine, Sioux City, Shrine Chanters, High 12 Founders Club, Sioux City, Laura Chapter 301, Order of Eastern Star, South Sioux City, past member of Morningside Chapter Rose Croix No. 501, Sioux City, Past Worthy Patron of Laura Chapter, Past O.E.S. Representative to Rhode Island, Past Rainbow Dad for International Order of Rainbow for Girls, Lynn Broyhill Assembly No. 12, South Sioux City, where Gene and his wife traveled numerous times with the group, as well as Lynn Broyhill Assembly No. 12 Advisory Board and Nebraska Ambassador for the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. He was a very devoted Masonic Degree team member. Gene also enjoyed reading and collecting horse figurines.
Survivors include two sisters, Helen Garwood and Glea Gude, both of O'Neill, Neb; many nieces and nephews; and his sister-in-law, Phyllis, Closson of Tacoma, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brother, Dale Closson; his aunt, Audrey Bowden; and a nephew, Michael Gude.
Pallbearers will be Bob McKenny, Ted Gude, Steve Mc Kenny, Mark Mc Kenny, Al Klaasmeyer and Kathy Dodds.