Gene Harnack, 95 of Rochester, passed away peacefully at home on September 27, 2023.

Gene Elden Harnack was born on March 20, 1928, to Elden and Lenora (Maass) Harnack.  He was a lifelong resident of Rochester, except for two years in the US Navy including serving on the U.S.S. Endicott and four years at the University of MN.  In 1952 he joined his father's six-month-old furniture business and spent 41 years there, retiring in 1993.

On June 10, 1949, he married his High School sweetheart Ardis Berg and their 32-year marriage ended with her death in 1981.  In 1986 he married (his midlife soul mate) Marlene Flynn and they were married for 37 years.

Gene was active in his church and community.  As a 50-year-old member of Grace Lutheran Church he served as president.  Later he became a member of Good Shepard Lutheran Church where he provided a leadership role and served on committees.

He was a charter and 25-year member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and served on other Chamber boards and committees.  As a 25-year Trustee at Oakwood Cemetery his group restored the Healy Chapel and opened an extension of Oakwood Cemetery on Viola Road.  For over 60 years he was an active member of the Rochester Exchange Club where he provided a leadership role for The Book of Golden Deeds, the Flag Project, and the Freedom Shrine at Soldiers Field Park.  He was a member of the Elks Club, Eagles, SCORE, and the American Legion.

Gene enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball, loved Major League Baseball, loved meeting Willie Mays, Leo Durocher, Lindsey Nelson, and others.  He loved fishing and fishing on Black Duck Lake, in the Gulf of Mexico at Perdido Key, Florida and in Canada with his brother and friends.  He never outgrew his love for the music of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday.

But most of all he loved being with his family and close friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ardie, his sister, Judy and brother-in-law James Daly, stepson Michael Flynn, and son-in-law, Robert Pfaff.

He is survived by his wife Marlene, his daughters Christine Harnack, Julie and son-in-law Steve Lent, Rebecca Harnack Pfaff, Anne Harnack, his brother Thomas Harnack and sister-in law Connie, stepsons Steve Flynn, Tom Flynn, Brian Flynn, 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Rochester officiated by Rev. Dr. Carl-Eric Gentes on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00AM with visitation one hour before the service at the church. A luncheon and military honors will immediately follow. Private burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Macken Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Harnack/Flynn family.  To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to be made to Season's Hospice or Good Shepard Lutheran Church.