Gene Henry Van Westen was born on March 20, 1947, in Sibley, IA to John and Dorothy (Loeschen) Van Westen. He graduated from high school in Sibley and attended Vo-Tech for diesel mechanics in Sheldon, IA. Gene served his country during the Vietnam War from 1966 until his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 1970. In his lifetime, Gene had three children: Shelli, Todd, and Kim. He worked a variety of truck mechanic jobs including at Sather's Candy Company, Umthon Trucking, Smith Trucking, and Trumpet Trucking before moving to Clarkfield where he drove truck for Viessman's before starting his own business—Gene's Truck Repair, out of the shop at his home in Clarkfield. Gene loved going to airplane and aviation shows, especially to see the Warbirds in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the Fagen Fighters World War II Museum. In his retirement years, you could often find Gene at the Boyd Café having coffee with "the guys."

On Friday, June 2, 2023, at the age of 76, Gene passed away at his home in Clarkfield. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Van Westen and brother, Royce Van Westen.

He is survived by his three children, Shelli Mattes of Sioux Falls, SD, Todd (Kelly) Van Westen of Bandera, TX, and Kim (Troy) Sigwarth of Altoona, IA; grandchildren, Cody Mattes, Drew Sigwarth, and Claire Sigwarth; brothers, Johnny Van Westen, Mike (Beverly) Van Westen, Scott (Vicki) Van Westen, and Steffen (Ida) Van Westen; sister, Cheryl (Allen) Boese, and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside memorial service with military honors will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023, at 11 AM at the Clarkfield City Cemetery.