Gene (Loyd Gene) Kasselder, age 82, of Mitchell, SD died Sunday, April 24, 2016 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital ER. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, April 29, 2016 at First Reformed Church in Mitchell with burial and military rites at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday April 28, 2016 at the Will Funeral Chapel with prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Gene Kasselder, son of Loyd and Alice (Hansen) Kasselder, was born November 30, 1933 at home in Ericson, NE. He graduated from Ericson High School and then joined the US Army for three years from 1953 to 1956 where he was a diesel mechanic in the tank brigade in Germany. After his honorable discharge, Gene farmed in Nebraska before moving to Plankinton, SD to continue farming.

In Plankinton, he married Arlene Brandenburg  and had twin daughters, Teresa and Terri. Gene farmed in Plankinton until 1966, when he moved to Mitchell and started driving truck. Gene married Alice (Dittrich) Sheffield, and together they worked hard to build their trucking business which included up to ten semi-tractor trailer rigs and repair shops, A&G Diesel I and II. A&G Diesel continues to thrive to this day. Gene had earned several awards for driving, including one for having driven over a million miles accident free. Alice passed away in 1997. Gene later met Hon Meyer and they were married on September 13, 2003. He loved spending time visiting with his family, driving his red corvettes and having coffee with his buddies.

Gene is survived by his wife, Hon Kasselder, Mitchell, SD; twin daughters, Terri Eimers, Sioux Falls, SD, Teresa (Chris) Geroy, Mitchell, SD; his stepchildren, Doug Sheffield, Mitchell, SD and Malisa Meyer, Minot, ND; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and two brothers, Kenneth (Ann) Kasselder, Ericson, NE and Keith (Sue) Kasselder, Hudson, WY.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his second wife, Alice; an infant sister, Barbara Jean; a sister, Patti; and a step-son, Curtis Meyer.