Gene L. Chollett

Gene Leroy Chollett, 80, of Princeton, MN, passed away peacefully on Nov. 2, 2022 at CentraCare Hospital in St. Cloud. 

Gene was born on Dec. 3, 1941, in Hinckley, MN, to Austin “Ray” and Ruth (McCormack) Chollett. He graduated from Maplewood Academy (Hutchinson, MN) in 1960 and worked in the Ely, MN iron mines before beginning a long construction career in the Twin Cities. 

He married Barbara “Joy” Johnson on August 14, 1982, in Mora, MN. They resided in Princeton until his death. Gene’s favorite hobbies included gardening, working on cars and attending his grandchildren’s activities. 

Gene is survived by his wife: Barbara “Joy”; his children from a previous marriage: Michael (Dayle) Chollett, Michele Schleeter, Jon (Sherri) Chollett; grandchildren: Christopher and Brandon Chollett, J.P., Gene and William Schleeter, Nicole (Mike) Kappes; great-grandchildren: Steven Schleeter, Jordan and Destiny Kappes; great-great grandchildren: Hazel Marie Madsen and Macy Schleeter; step-children: Mark (Dea) Johnson and Nancy (Harold) House; step-grandchildren: Daniel House, Brooke and Tanner Johnson. 

Gene is also survived by siblings Edward (Virginia) Chollett, June Steffen, Merle (Pat) Chollett and Donna (Dwight) Mills, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and Ray and brother-in-law Gordon Steffen. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at Carlson Lillemoen Funeral Home in Cambridge, MN. To honor Gene’s love of treats, we will be serving cookies and refreshments during the visitation, which will be held two hours prior to the service. 

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