Eugene "Geno" Bartscher, age 71, of Fulton, SD died Sunday November 6, 2011 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday November 9, 2011 at Holy Family Catholic Church with burial at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday November 8, 2011 at Holy Family Catholic Church with a Rosary followed by a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 PM. Eugene Joseph Bartscher was born July 29, 1940 in Hanson County to Henry and Elenora (Mentele) Bartscher. Gene was raised on a farm in Hanson County. He attended Catholic School in Farmer, SD. He married Anna Theresa Gessner on March 30, 1964 in Salem, SD. They lived most of their life on a farm north of Alexandria, where they raised their seven children. Later in 1997 they moved to Fulton, SD. Gene was a very skilled and successful mason for over 50 years. He enjoyed working side by side with his cousin Eldon, father Henry, brother Bob, and later his two sons Tony and Joe. Other joys in his life were found in gardening, working in his yard, helping out on the farm, racing horses, hunting, entertaining his grandchildren with flatbed rides, and holiday guitar playing. But most of all he loved and cherished the time he spent with his best friend and wife, Theresa, his children and their spouses and his grandchildren. Gene was welcomed home to the Lord on November 6, 2011 at the age of 71. Grateful for having the honor to share his life are his wife, Theresa, Fulton, SD; his children, Lorie (Jay) Decker, Canistota, SD, Lisa (Brad) Haiar, Fulton, SD, Linda (Harlyn ) Andersen, Mitchell, SD, Tony (Nikki) Bartscher, Alexandria, SD, Bonnie (Justin) Schmidt, Plankinton, SD, Nancy (Wade) Erickson, Howard, SD, Joe Bartscher, Fulton, SD; 23 grandchildren; a brother, Bob Bartscher, Mitchell, SD; 5 sisters, Alice Schleich, Emery, SD, Irene Olinger, Albert Lea, MN, Georgie Weber, Fulton, SD, Connie Bukacek, Reliance , SD, Maureen Weber, Alexandria, SD and their spouses; many nieces, nephews and friends. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Don Bartscher; a brother-in-laws, Jerome Bukacek and Bill Olinger.