Eugene "Gene" Hornbacher

Eugene Hornbacher, 79, of Menoken, passed away to be with his Lord and Savior on February 21, 2026.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Bismarck Funeral Home. Family will be receiving guests one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the spring at Glencoe Cemetery.

Gene was born July 1, 1946, in McClusky, ND to Leo and Eleanor Hornbacher. He was the 10th of 12 children. They lived on a farm near Denhoff, ND during his formative years. The family moved to Bismarck in 1954 where he attended school and graduated from Bismarck High in 1964. Gene served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam war from 1966-1969, during that time he was deployed in Thailand.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force he purchased a farm south of Menoken, ND, where his son Jeff and his family reside today. Gene “worked in town” for nearly all of his adult life supplementing his cattle operation. He was no stranger to long hours or challenging physical labor. After his military service Gene worked at St. Alexius Hospital for 19 years as a surgical tech/assistant. In 1984 he started a carpet cleaning business “SteamBrite” which he operated for 10 years. He then worked as a custodian at Wilmore and Pioneer elementary schools where he loved working with the kids and school staff. He retired in 2009 and kept busy with his dogs, helping on the farm, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

While working at St. Alexius Gene met and married Frances Bitz in 1976. Together they had two sons Jeff and Jim. Gene was very proud of the progress his sons were able to make and took great pride in their successes (although he was fairly certain the cattle related success was solely market related). He enjoyed gardening, raising and caring for all animals and spending time with his family. Gene was guided by his deep Christian faith and often put the needs of others before his own. His generous spirit and sense of humor was infectious and made everyone around him feel comfortable. Gene had a fun-loving personality and most who crossed his path left with a smile. His faith in God was strong and he looked forward to one day being with his Lord and Savior.

Gene will be deeply missed by his sons, Jeff (Josie) and Jim (Julie) all of Menoken, ND; grandchildren: Jacey, Jackson, Joy, Wyatt, Jones, and Cade. Gene is survived by brothers and sisters including Calvin (Shirley) Hornbacher, Darlene Ulich, Shirley (late George) Huss, Donna (late Clay) Joyce, Gary (late Patty) Hornbacher, LeRoy (Carol) Hornbacher, Leslie Hornbacher, Karen Koch, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Eleanor Hornbacher; sisters, Violet Cavach, Linda Gray, and Verla Jean Hornbacher.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Edgewood on Dominion and Caring Edge Hospice for their kindness, support, and compassionate care.