Gene Lilienkamp peacefully went home to be with Jesus on Aug. 29, 2014, at Hospice of Spokane (South), after many days of being surrounded by his family, following complications from outpatient cancer surgery.

He was born on Jan. 29, 1939, in Spokane, Wash. He grew up in the Silver Valley, where he attended Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and graduated from Wallace High School in 1957. He attended the University of Idaho for two years, where he also played football, before joining the United States Air Force.

During Gene's lifetime, he had a plethora of occupations, including owning Pioneer Realty, the Silver Lantern Drive-In Restaurant, and a power-wash business in Wallace, where he employed his family and friends. Gene also sold insurance, was a certified appraiser, invested and constructed real estate, worked in mining, and many other "entrepreneurial enterprises" over the years. Most recently, he sold AFLAC Insurance.

Gene liked to spend his time woodworking, being outdoors, and going to the Oregon Coast. In Gene's earlier years, he enjoyed ranching, tap dancing, fly fishing, years of skiing, golfing, playing guitar, hunting and camping.

Most of all, Gene loved spending time with his family. He had a good sense of humor and a quick wit. He loved his family very much and he will be missed.

In 1990, Gene married his wife of 24 years, Sandy. They have lived in Cheney, Wash., where he is a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Gene enjoyed attending mass daily.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Mary Lilienkamp, and his birth mother, Louise Knowles. He is survived by his wife, Sandy; daughters Tracey Staggs, Julie Lilienkamp, Jodie Roletto (Jim), Kelly Lee (Stuart), and Jenna Gove (Dave); stepchildren Wendy Wendt and Steven Powell; 13 grandchildren - Tony Brickner (Lisa), Randi Marie Kyle (Brandon), Jake Roletto, Meghan Roletto, Joe Roletto, Zac Staggs, Cpl. Lucas Staggs, Derek Gove, Madison Gove, Garrett Schlimmer, Carson Schlimmer, Emma Wendt, and Shelley Wiskirken; six great grandchildren - Anthony Roletto, Rilee Kyle, Berklee Kyle, and Shelley Wiskirken's three boys; his brother, Dick Lilienkamp (Marsha), sister Sherry Woody (Gary), and half-sisters Mary and Darlene.

A Rosary/vigil will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, at St. Rose of Lima Church, 460 N. Fifth St., Cheney, Wash. The funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, also at St. Rose of Lima Church; a reception lunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gene's memory may be made to Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur, P.O. Box 2215, Spokane, Wash., 99210-2215, (509) 456-0438, www.hospiceofspokane.org.