Eugene Kirschenmann
Eugene Kirschenmann passed away April 29, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of 82.
Eugene was born at the family farm near Napoleon, North Dakota, on Feb. 15, 1943, the first child of Emil and Frieda Kirschenmann. His youth was filled with working hard on the farm, weekend get-togethers with family and friends, hunting and fishing every chance he got and skipping school.
He was a hard worker and always had an eye for value, buying his first Remington rifle of many at the age of 12, with money he saved up from tanning pelts, his first car, a Plymouth convertible, at the age of 14, and one of his most memorable purchases, a new 1963 Impala SS with a Corvette engine, at the age of 20 (to the chagrin of Emil, who thought his son should have bought 200 acres of land instead of an expensive fast car).
This was his car when he met Judith Ann Schell in Hardin, Montana. It was also the car they drove away from their wedding in 1964, and the coupe they sold when they had their first child, Jeff Kirschenmann in 1965.
Seeking a better life for his family, a common theme for him, he and the family moved to Libby, Montana, in 1966 so he could work construction on the Libby Dam. Their second son, Scott Kirschenmann arrived in 1968. The town was a perfect fit for a construction worker who liked to hunt and fish, and Judy loved it too, having a long career in banking. It was a great place to raise a family and he loved Libby.
When the labor market cooled in the mid-70s, Eugene took a job near Skagway, Alaska, for a couple years. Then onto Iran, where he worked a year or so till all foreigners had to leave in 1979. He loved to tell the stories of his far flung work and other stories if one had the time. He would work construction jobs in and around Libby till the toll of construction work led him to retirement around 2000.
Eugene lost Judy to cancer in 2000, and found life unfulfilling without his wife or career. He attended auctions (one of his passions) to pass the time. It was there he met Claudette Kelley and they struck up a friendship, both being widowed. They fell in love and were married. They loved to travel to rodeos and car races, watch TV together and hang out with their three Pomeranians.
After many years of talking about it, they decided to move to Irmo, South Carolina, in 2020, to be near Claudette’s son Sam Kelley, and his wife Bobbie. Eugene loved the warm weather and enjoyed the company of Sam and Bobbie and their daughters Jordan Grubbs (David), Taylor Dry (Brandon), and Kamryn Coleman (Jake). They all welcomed him into their family and made sure Gene and Claudette were always taken care of.
He is survived by his wife Claudette Kirschenman;, sons Jeff Kirschenmann (Angelika) and Scott Kirschenmann (Hope); sisters Evangeline Duenow and Linda Alley (Steve); brother Steve Kirschenmann (Paulette); grandchildren Chris Bailey (Alesha), Sarah Letts (Ryan), Adam Kirschenmann (Hadassah), Sam Kirschenmann, and Joe Kirschenmann; and many nieces and nephews, great grandchildren, step and otherwise. He had many friends and loved ones in this world. He will be missed.
Services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby, Montana.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.