Obituary of Eugene D Davidenas

The LORD has seen fit to call from this vale of tears… the soul of Eugene (“Gene”) David Davidenas… who passed on into the loving arms of his Savior on December 21, 2023, in Jackson, CA.  Gene had attained the age of 81 years, 6 months, and 17 days. He was born on June 4, 1942, in Hammond, IN, to David Steven Davidenas and Sylvia Eugenia Rogers Davidenas.

He became a child of GOD in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at St. Victor’s Roman Catholic Church in Calumet City, IL on July 19, 1942.  Gene lived the first 21 years of his life in Calumet City, IL -- attending and graduating from Wilson-Wentworth Grade School (1956) and Thornton Fractional North High School (1960).  He was confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church, Calumet City, in May of 1962.  On June 15, 1963, he married Reta Marlene Benninghoff at St. John Lutheran Church in Calumet City, IL. Eugene graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska in 1967… and earned a Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) in 1975 from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois.  As a pastor, he served congregations in Wisconsin, Illinois, the Philippine Islands, Hawaii, and California. 

Reta and Gene were the parents of 7 children:  Jennifer (Steve) Davis of Collinsville, IL; Christopher of Portland, OR; Christina Wagner-Wright (Iain) Tyson of Port Hueneme, CA; Daniel (Maegan) of Cotati, CA; Peter of Jackson, CA; Jonathan (Carmen) of Coeur d’Alene, ID; and Katherine “Binky” (deceased).  He is survived by his wife, Reta, of 60 years, 6 children, 8 grandchildren… his sister, Dana Helmcke of DeMott, IN; and numerous nephews and nieces.   Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest daughter, Katherine.

As a Lithuanian-American and Polish-American Christian… Gene served The LORD as a husband, father, grandfather, Lutheran school teacher, and ordained Lutheran Minister. He received recognitions for his service: as a Clerical Knight in the Order of the Eagle of Silesia (ESDC), the Royal Confraternity of Saint Teotonio (RCST), and as a Senior Chaplain in the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. Gene always remembered his Calumet City roots and tried to “stay on the north side of Fractional and never cross that line.”

In Lieu of flowers, donations should be made out to Immanuel Lutheran Church "Mission Outreach."

Visitation will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 42 Summit St., Jackson, CA, at 10:00 AM, on January 8, 2024, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. Christian burial in the blessed hope of the resurrection will take place at Sunset View Cemetery, 10200 Highway 88, in Jackson, CA.