Obituary: Eugene D. Risdon

Eugene Douglas Risdon, 91, of Cloquet passed away Nov. 8, 2024, at Evergreen Knoll assisted living. He was born on Dec. 29, 1932, to Michael and June (Parsons) Risdon in Manannah, Minnesota. Gene graduated from Cloquet High School in 1955 and was united in marriage to Carol Ann Johnson on Sept. 30, 1961.

Gene was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He worked at the fish and game department in Glenwood, Minnesota and Jay Cooke State Park in Carlton, and at the Northwest Paper Company for 20 years. Along with his wife, Carol, he started G&C Sports in the Sunnyside area of Cloquet, and also owned West End Beauty Shoppe. After retiring, they opened The Rock Place in the west end of town, where Gene could showcase his love of collecting agates and cutting and polishing them into jewelry.

Music played a large role in Gene’s life. He and Carol enjoyed many hours dancing together while listening to their son’s band. He enjoyed playing the trombone in the Cloquet Community Band, to which he and Carol belonged. Harmonica was Gene’s instrument of choice, and playing it brought him great joy, even up until his final days. Gene was an avid duck hunter, enjoyed hunting small game and deer, and fishing with his best partner and wife, Carol. Gene also started the Cloquet Archery Club, had an active role in beginning the Ski Fleas Snowmobile Club, and taught snowmobile and gun safety.

Gene is survived by his wife, Carol; sister-in-law Ardyce (Arthur) Thurston; children Irene (Brad) Angell, David (Brenda) Risdon, and Thomas (Brenda) Risdon; daughter-in-law, Cindy Risdon; grandchildren, Kary (Mickey) Ley, Annette (Dave) Levesque, Lee (Jessica) Risdon, Jayson (Andrea) and JayLene Rimolde, and Kelvin (Beth), Trever, Derryk, Pierce (Eden) and Quintin Risdon; nine great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and other extended relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Eugene B. Risdon; brother, Dr. Michael Risdon; and sister-in-law Jo Risdon.

Visitation: 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. memorial service in honor of Eugene on Monday, Nov. 18 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Refreshments will follow.

The family gives special thanks to Evergreen Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice for the great care they gave to Gene and family. A very special thanks to the resident assistants who cared for Gene.