Gene Lenard, 86, of Burnsville, formerly of Owatonna, died Monday, January 19, 2009 under the care of hospice in Lodge on Summit Oaks, Burnsville. Gene was born April 8, 1922 in Wausau, WI the son of Stanley and Mary (Wojtkiewich) Lenard. There he was raised and attended school graduating from Wausau High School in 1941. He then attended St. John''s University where he received his Bachelor Degree in Philosophy. He continued his studies at St. John''s and Seminary for two years. Gene moved to Cresco, IA and became a teacher at Notre Dame High School. He taught Latin, English, History and Physical Education. In 1955, he began his professional career in LaCrosse, WI with the Boy Scouts of America where he was a district scout executive. He served on councils in St. Paul, Ottumwa, IA and Gamehaven Council in Rochester in 1965. He was united in marriage to Joan Meyer in 1958 in Cresco. They moved to Faribault and then in 1965 to Owatonna. He continued his career as scout executive retiring after 29 years in 1984. Joan died in 1985. In 1989, Gene married Ursula Shimek in Rochester. They moved to Lake City and they made their home for 10 years. Ursula died in 2005. In 2003, Gene moved to Emerald Crest Memory Care in Burnsville. He was active in the Owatonna Rotary Club, the Elks Lodge, the Knights of Columbus and has served on the board of directors in the organization of the Dodge County United Way. He was a member of the Little Theatre of Owatonna, the Owatonna Art Center, the Steele County Historical Society and was Class Chairman in St. John''s University Alumni Association at Collegeville, Minnesota. Gene also proudly served on the Owatonna City Council and Southeastern Minnesota Area Aging Council. Gene is survived by two daughters, Jane (Jim) Kretsch of Lakeville; Mary Birchard of Minneapolis, MN; a son, Tom Lenard of Marshfield, WI; seven grandchildren, Claire, Jessica, Tommy, Sebastian, Morgan, James and Amelia. He was preceded in death by his wife Joan, and wife, Ursula, his parents, six brothers and four sisters. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service in the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held January 22, 2009 at 1:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Owatonna with Father Edward McGrath celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Owatonna. Gene lived with Alzheimer''s disease for over 14 years. His humor, sweetness and love of beer will never be forgotten. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer''s Association MN-ND, 4550 West 77th Street, Edina, MN. 55435 Visitation: 01/22/2009 12:00 01/22/2009 13:00 Service: Owatonna 01/22/2009 13:00