Eugene 'Geno' Joseph Exner, 81

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, Eugene “Geno” Joseph Exner, 81, of Cataldo, Idaho, passed away March 2, 2021, at his home in Cataldo. He was born March 24, 1939, in Edgeley, N.D. Geno was the son of Bernard and Rose (Schlosser) Exner.

Geno attended and graduated from St. John’s Academy in Jamestown, N.D., in 1957; while attending St. John’s, he played as center for the football team.

After school, Geno served in the U.S. Navy, he was a member of the Navy Seals and received two purple hearts, two bronze stars and two silver stars for his service.

Geno first married Fumiko Tasaki in 1961 in Japan; they later divorced. He then married Susan Barker and they later divorced.

Geno moved to Idaho in 1966 from North Dakota.

Geno was a mechanic; while residing in North Dakota, he owned and operated the Northwest Y Gas Station/Repair Shop. When moving to the Silver Valley, he had served as a mechanic for Wellman’s Motors in Kellogg and Nickersons’ Brothers in Smelterville. Geno then served as a logger and owned and operated Gene Exner Logging Company for 40-plus years.

Geno loved and enjoyed his family, gatherings with family and friends, riding into the mountains and hunting. But his greatest passion was his horses of which he bred and trained.

Geno is survived by five children, Terri Exner of Lynnwood, Wash., Brenda (Marc) White of Pinehurst, Idaho, Jeff (Jill) Exner of Columbus, Mont., Melissa (Ray) Sansi of Pinehurst, Idaho, and Joe Exner of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; two step-children, Tina (Kerry) James of Kingston, Idaho, and Corey Marang of Boulder, Nev.; eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild; 10 brothers and sisters, Delena Happ of Eagan, Minn., Yvonne Bonderson of Devils Lake, N.D., Don Exner of North Platte, Neb., Alvin Exner of Ypsilanti, N.D., John Exner of Days Creek, Ore., Rose Ann Fehr of Wimbledon, N.D., Bernie Fornaris of Katy, Texas, Tony Exner of Republic, Wash., Terry Exner of Jamestown, N.D., and Tim Exner also of Jamestown; he is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Geno was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved longtime riding companion horse Boomer.

A celebration of Geno’s life will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 29, 2021, at the Timbers Roadhouse in Cataldo. Please join the family for food, drinks and sharing special memories of Geno.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, Idaho, is entrusted with services. You may share your memories of Geno and sign his guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.