Eugene "Gene" P. Rahn

January 8, 1946 - November 2, 2020

Eugene "Gene" P. Rahn passed away on November 2, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family. He was 74 years old. He was born in Enid, OK on January 8, 1946 to Rev. Ben and Mrs. Tena (Wieler) Rahn. He lived in various places growing up, including Enid, OK, Pasa Robles, CA, Inman, KS, and Pretty Prairie, KS, with most of that time in Inman. He graduated in 1964 from the Pretty Prairie High School. He graduated from Bethel College, North Newton, KS, in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He married Lovina Hilty on August 26, 1967 at the Bethel Mennonite Church, Fortuna, MO. They celebrated over 53 years of marriage together. He began a career at Conoco Inc, Ponca City, OK in 1971, working in Mineral Lease Records and later in Information Technology (aka the Computer Department). He retired from Conoco Inc. in 1997 and again from Computer Science Corporation in 2001. Gene and Lovina were blessed with two children, Jason Rahn (Lourdes) of Southlake, TX and Heidi Rahn of Little Hocking, OH, one grandson Noah Rahn of Southlake, TX, and one step grandson Dan Roman of TX. Gene and his family lived in Ponca City 47 years. They still have many fond friends and memories from there. They moved to Versailles, MO in 2018 to be closer to Lovina’s family and friends. It was an adventurous move for two people in their 70s but demonstrated Gene’s love for adventure and his in-laws whom he always felt close to. He was a member of the Bethel Fellowship Church, Fortuna, MO. He was active in Sunday School, the Bethel Men’s Brotherhood, and at times music. Prior to his move to Versailles, MO, he was a member of St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene, Ponca City, OK. He taught adult Sunday School for many years. He also served on the church board, as church board secretary, finance chairman, and several other committees over the years as well as singing. His hobbies included singing and listening to Christian hymns and Southern Gospel music, reading the Bible, photography, traveling, woodworking, and being with family and friends. He was also a member of the Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus for many years and enjoyed the fellowship that came from singing with a large group of Christian men who loved Jesus and loved to sing. He deeply valued his Mennonite and German-Russian heritage. Gene was part of the 2nd generation of his family to be born in the U.S. He is survived by his wife, children, grandson, and step grandson, his sister Fran Nunemacher and husband Gary of Lake Havasu City, AZ, many nieces, nephews, and his beloved Hilty and Lehman in-laws, including his “Bro” Phil Hilty. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ivan Rahn, and both maternal and paternal grandparents, and brother-in-law Petie Hilty. One final instruction for the funeral: “At the end of my funeral, take a bouquet off my coffin and throw it into the crowd to see who is next……….just kidding!” A private family graveside service and interment will be held in the Bethel Cemetery. A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 5th, at the Bethel Fellowship Church with Pastor Jerry Bush officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Bethel Men’s Brotherhood or the Bethel Women in Mission. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.