Born Dec. 24, 1930 in rural Barnum to parents Ed and Anna Clarken Lynch. Gene was the only son with 5 sisters, being the only son he often claimed he was his dad’s hired hand. He graduated from Barnum High School in 1951 and proudly served in the US Army during the Korean conflict. Gene married his high school sweetheart Carole Donahoe from Clare on August 3, 1957, and they settled on the current Lynch farm. In the early years he worked with his dad as he established his own farming operations. Gene and Carole had 3 children, Denise (David) McNitt of Council Bluffs, Mark (Janine) Lynch of Barnum, and Karen (Jeff) Pierick of Des Moines. They have 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Gene farmed his entire life on what is now the Lynch Century farm. A very proud hardworking farmer he also did windrowing for harvesting oats, and had a large hog operation. He was a Johnson township trustee and served on the Barnum Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years. Gene and Carole love visiting their grandchildren and the kids all loved coming to the farm with frequent visits throughout the year including lots of pool time! They also enjoyed traveling and had great trips to Russia, Hawaii, Ireland, Rome, and Paris. Gene is preceded in death by his infant daughter Joan, sisters Kate Champlin, and Mary Haupts. Surviving sisters are Darlene Coleman, Bethesda MD, Betty Kirby, Storm Lake, and Marcia Allen, Waukee.
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