Eugene Edward Veit

life story

Generosity, warmth, and good humor

Eugene Edward Veit of Edina, Minnesota passed away on December 2nd, 2021 at the age of 77 following complications from cancer and surgery. He is survived by his four children, Emily McCaul (Ken Olson), Frances Veit (Dan Callahan), Elizabeth Veit, and Loren Veit, as well as five grandchildren, Gage, Morgan, Douglas, Rowan, and Hazel. He was born to the late Ellen Berger on August 7th, 1944 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin and was brother to Leona (Onie) Peterson, Douglas Veit, and the late Michael Berger. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Memorial service to be held in summer 2022.

About Gene

Gene was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin on August 7th, 1944 to the late Ellen Berger. Brother to Leona "Onie" Peterson, Douglas Veit, and the late Michael Berger, he always had at the ready a funny story about his hardscrabble but loving upbringing.

Gene served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962-1966. He was stationed mostly in Germany, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic and practiced his German on the locals, eventually wooing and bringing home a fiancee. While they never made it to the altar, the experience added to his trove of stories and he retained a love of the German language and of travel throughout his days.

Gene went on to start a successful real estate company, Main Street Realty, at 50th Street and Bryant Avenue in Minneapolis. He later worked for Edina Realty and Coldwell Banker and continued to sell houses into his 70s. He knew the streets of Minneapolis like the back of his hand. His children grew up attending (and playing hide and seek at) open houses. He was passionate about his clients and went out of his way to see them matched to the right home. He was right there for questions about home maintenance, too. If Gene didn't teach you how to paint a room, you missed out.

Gene is survived by his four children, Emily McCaul (Ken Olson), Frances Veit (Dan Callahan), Elizabeth Veit, and Loren Veit, as well as five grandchildren, Gage, Morgan, Douglas, Rowan, and Hazel. The Covid-19 pandemic prevented him from meeting his two youngest grandchildren in person, but they remained at the front of his mind even as his health deteriorated.

Gene was a fisherman and a deer hunter who loved to spend time in northern Minnesota with his siblings and friends. He always had a sparkle in his eyes, a great smile, and a talent for making people laugh. Having played guitar on the streets in his youth, he often stopped to make friends of buskers. He was also an avid cribbage player, a country and western dance instructor, a lifelong fan of garage sales, and a fierce advocate for his children. He was passionate and active in local autism and NAMI communities. He will be remembered for his eternal optimism, even in the face of difficulties, and for his willingness to drop everything to help anyone who asked. He was greatly loved and will be missed by his family, as well as by many friends, coworkers, and clients.