Eugene Thomas Gronseth

Gene passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends April 15, 2018 in Renton, WA. He was born in Britton, South Dakota to Martha and Thomas Gronseth on December 29, 1935.

Gene grew up on the farm with his parents in rural South Dakota and attended country school for elementary and then attended middle and high school in Britton, SD.

Gene graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He married Claudia M. Cooper from Brampton, North Dakota on November 29, 1958.

Gene served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army during the Cold War. He became employed by the Boeing Co in Seattle, WA and together they adopted two children; Thomas and Kimberly. They resided in Renton, WA. During his career as a Boeing Mechanical Engineer, Gene helped develop the lunar rover, cruise missiles and the B1-B bomber. Gene retired from Boeing in 1995 and traveled with Claudia in their motorhome through-out America and Canada.

In his spare time Gene loved to pheasant and duck hunt. He always had a Labrador dog by his side. He also enjoyed fishing for salmon and halibut in the Pacific Northwest.

Gene is survived by his wife Claudia and his children Thomas Gronseth and Kimberly Younts (Douglas) and his grandchildren Malcolm Gronseth, Tallulah Gronseth and Jillian Younts. Gene also had many friends in the neighborhood and the community.

Funeral services will be held at St. Stephen’s the Martyr Catholic Church, Renton, Friday, May 4th, 11am. He will be laid to rest at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery Monday, May 7th, 11am. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be directed to Catholic Adoption services; ccsww.org/get-help/child-youth-family-services/adoption-services/, or https://www.sjogrens.org. Please submit any condolences to the family through The Neptune Society.