Gene Jelen, age 80, of Canby, MN passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at the Sanford Canby Medical Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am on Saturday, October 1st at the St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo, MN. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7pm on Friday, September 30th at the Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby with a prayer service at 7pm. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the St. Leo Catholic Cemetery in St. Leo. Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel of Canby, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
Eugene John Jelen was born on June 22, 1942 to Albert and Genevieve (Eischens) Jelen in Clarkfield, MN. He grew up on a farm near St. Leo, MN and finished school in Canby, MN. He worked in the cities in construction then moved back to the area where he met his wife, Doreen. Gene was united in marriage to Doreen DeVlaeminck on January 10, 1970 in St. Leo, MN. Gene’s greatest pride in life was his five sons. During his lifetime, he worked for numerous construction companies. Some of these included Milton Melrose, Jelen and Hoffman Construction, TWC Construction and he worked with his brother Jim. He ended his construction career working with his son Jamie for Jelen Construction. Gene was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church. He was a volunteer member of the St. Leo Fire Department for 25 years. Gene enjoyed playing baseball and softball and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved spending time with his grandkids. Gene Jelen Canby passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at the Sanford Canby Medical Center and the age of 80.
He is survived by his wife Doreen Jelen, Canby, MN; four sons: Dale (Nancy) Jelen, Sioux Falls, SD; Howard Jelen, Montevideo, MN, Jamie (Teresa) Jelen, Canby, MN, and Steven (Melissa) Jelen, Tea, SD; 15 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren, four brothers; three sisters; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Gene was preceded in death by his son Terry Jelen in 1990; granddaughter Paeden Jelen in 1994, parents and brothers-in-law, Odrean and John; nephews: Jesse and Tommy and nieces: Brittany and Kendra.
