Gene Allen Griffith, 85, of Owatonna, died Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna. He was born July 10, 1936 in Millersburg, Iowa the son of Norris and Dorothy (Trapp) Griffith, Sr. The family moved to a farm in Steele County, Minnesota in 1948. He graduated from Owatonna High School in 1954. He then served in the Army Reserves. In 1958, he married Lola Preuss and the couple had four children, Terry, Debra, Caroline and Scott. They later divorced. Gene married Laura Chesney on May 7, 1989 and the couple made their home on a farm in Owatonna Township. Gene farmed until 1985. He then went to the University of Minnesota studying horticulture. After his schooling he worked in grounds keeping at the Owatonna County Club in the late 1980's and early 1990's. He then was instrumental in building the Willinger's Golf Course in Webster where he also worked in grounds keeping. For the past 20 years he worked in grounds keeping at Brooktree Golf Course in Owatonna, retiring in 2021. Gene enjoyed softball and throwing horseshoes in his younger years along with hunting, fishing and camping. He is survived by his wife, Laura Griffith of Owatonna; children, Terry (Sarah) Griffith of Owatonna, Debra (Steve) Fields of Andover, Scott Griffith of Waterville, Chris (Dawn) Chesney of Owatonna and Terry Chesney (Michelle Will) of Pemberton; grandchildren, Gail (Joe) Cahil, Ryan Griffith, Ashley (Keith) Rhodes, Andrew Fields, Chasity Griffith, Michael (Marissa) Grams, Dakota (Michaela) Van Guilder, Tasha (Mike) Williams, Sara DeAtley, Bradley (Trista) Chesney, Nathan (Amber) Chesney and Nickalas Chesney and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents, Norris and Dorothy; daughter, Caroline Van Guilder; and brothers, Norris Jr. and Gerald. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, April 18, 2022 at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be in Owatonna Memorial Gardens in Clinton Falls Township.