Eugene James Pichner, 77, of Owatonna, died Saturday, June 6, 2009 at his home. He was born July 12, 1931 in Owatonna the son of Hubert and Mary (Kubat) Pichner. He attended rural school Dist. 24, the old Hickok School, and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1948 at the age of 16. Eugene started his purebred swine herd in December of 1945 while a sophomore in high school. In 1949 he received the FFA American Farmer Degree. Purebred hogs continued to be his passion throughout his whole life. FFA and 4-H were very dear to his heart and he remained committed to both organizations his whole life. On Dec. 30, 1951 Eugene married Betty Viginia Jensen at Aurora Lutheran Church. Betty preceded him in death in 1997. In 1952, he bought the present family farm and started farming with his father, a partnership that they continued for many years. His herd of Chester White Swine was nationally known for excellence. He served on the Chester White board for many years and served as the President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Minnesota Chester White Association. Eugene judged swine of various breeds at several state fairs including North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. He also judged numerous county 4-H Swine Shows. Eugene and his family won many Hog Show Championships at the Minnesota and Iowa State Fairs. He was named to the Swine Honor Roll, received the Chester White Distinguished Service Award, and was inducted into the Minnesota State Livestock Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Steele County Livestock Hall of Fame in 2005. Eugene was Grand Champion at the first FFA Hog Show at the Minnesota State Fair. Twenty-five years later his son, Douglas, was also Grand Champion of the same show, and twenty-five years after that Eugene's granddaughter, Sara, was Grand Champion also. Eugene was named the Outstanding Steele County Young Farmer, nominated several times as a friend of 4-H and nominated to the Book of Golden Deeds. Eugene was employed at Federated Insurance from 1986 to 2003. He loved his time there almost as much as he loved living in Steele County. He was a Life Member of the CSA lodge and served as a trustee for many years up until the time if his death. He was a member of Aurora Lutheran Church from 1952-2002 where he served as a Deacon, Trustee and cemetery board member. He transferred to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in 2002. On August 20, 2000 Eugene married Mary Lee Fellrath Ebeling. Eugene and Mary Lee spent many great winters in Palm Springs, CA. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Pichner of Owatonna; daughter, Debbie (and Duane) Gehring of Owatonna; son, Douglas (and Jeanne) Pichner of Owatonna; grandchildren, Sara Marie Pichner, Amy Renee (and Jason) Gillis, Jennifer Amanda Gehring, Matthew Eugene Pichner, Jeffrey Allen Gehring, Greg Anthony Gehring all of Owatonna; brother, Donald (and Bea) Pichner of Owatonna; neice, Kay Klemmer of Owatonna; a niece who lived with them, Kari (and Jack) Harpel of Owatonna and several other nieces and nephews. Eugene is also survived by step-son, Thomas (and Kathleen) Ebeling of Victorville, CA; step-daughter, Anne (and Rich) Garbers of LaCrosse, WI; step-grandchildren, Ashley Anne Garbers, Andrew Richard Garbers, Jaclyn Marie Ebeling and Scott Thomas Ebeling. Eugene was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; sister, Mary Jo Westfield; brother in law, Donald Westfield and an infant brother, John. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Tuesday 4pm to 8pm and at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Wednesday from 10am to 11am. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 11:00am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with The Reverend Gary Rusinko officiating. Interment will be in the Aurora Lutheran Cemetery in Aurora Township. Memorials are preferred to St. Paul''s Lutheran Church, Aurora Lutheran Church, Owatonna Area Hospice Patient Care Fund or to the donor''s choice. Blessed be his memory for all who knew him. Visitation: 06/09/2009 16:00 06/09/2009 20:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church. 06/10/2009 11:00