Gene Steven Ferwerda, 87 of Springfield, SD passed away Friday February 15, 2013, at the Heritage Assisted Living Facility in Hammonton, NJ.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Crosby Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield, South Dakota.

Gene was born January 2, 1926 in rural Springfield to Martin and Sarah (Oliver) Ferwerda. Gene graduated from Springfield High School in 1943. After graduation, he entered the military and served in the U.S. Navy and from 1943 to 1947. After discharge from the Navy, Gene attended Southern State Teachers College and received his Bachelor of Science in education. He later received his Masters Degree in History from the University of Wyoming.

On August 15, 1948 Gene married Dorothy Delores Balvin in Springfield. Gene taught high school and coached for many years at Tripp, Highmore and Parkston, South Dakota. He later moved to Spencer, Iowa and made his profession in the Crop Insurance Industry before retiring.

Gene later moved to New Jersey and entered Assisted Living in Hammonton, New Jersey in May 2008. He resided there until his death.

Gene is survived by his daughters: Annette of Cocoa Beach, Florida; Amy of West Des Moines, Iowa; Julie of Medford, NJ; three brothers: Layton (Helen) of Yankton; Alvin (Avis) of Winner; and Laddie (Mary) of Centerville SD; two sisters: Amy (Gale) Scholl, Scotland and Carol (Jim) Lukkes of Yankton.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy; his parents; four brothers: Arnold, Dale, Noel and Merle and two sisters-in-law, Luetta Ferwerda and Henrietta Ferwerda.