Honoring Gene Lourey
Gene's grandchildren gathered dirt and autumn leaves from a trail he built on the family property in Kerrick, and visitors Thursday were invited to take some home.
By Joel Kramer | Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
The population of Bruno, Minn., is barely 100. But about 1,000 people, from local residents to state legislators and a congressman, stood in line at the old elementary school Thursday to hug former state Sen. Becky Lourey after the unexpected death last weekend of her husband, Gene.
Gene, known to his family and friends as Dal, was as shy as Becky is gregarious. But they were twins in their passion for social justice. You can read about his life in this compelling obituary in the Duluth News-Tribune.
Laurie and I became friends with Gene and Becky in 2002, when Becky asked me to be her running mate in her unsuccessful effort to win the DFL nomination for governor. They have been strong supporters of MinnPost, and Becky serves on our Greater Minnesota Advisory Group.
Gene was not only the husband of a state senator, but the father of one: his son Tony succeeded Becky in the state Legislature. Tony's wife, Marlana Benzie-Lourey, publishes a small weekly newspaper, the Askov American, where she wrote a personal remembrance of her father-in-law (see separate Personal article - "Dal's dreams came quietly ... linger").
Joel Kramer is editor and CEO of MinnPost.com.