Eugene D. Quast

            Eugene D. (Gene) Quast, 68 of Billings, MT passed away on March 20, 2007 at his home following a battle with cancer.  Gene was born on January 9, 1939 on a farm near Kulm, North Dakota to Bennie and Hulda (Rath) Quast.  He attended a 1 room school house and helped on the family farm until marriage.

            Gene and Sharon Jonas were married more than 49 years and have 4 children, Lonnie (Maureen) Quast, grandson Dustin Gene (Stevee) and great grandson Ezra all of Billings, Doug (Kathy) and grandchildren Ashley, Dillon, and Dakota Gene all of Billings, Teresa (Jeff) Bidleman and granddaughters Lindsey and Shelbey all of Billings, and Brenda (Toby) Racki and grandchildren Casey and Brittney of Toledo, Ohio, and special friend Dennis MacDonald, who was like a son to Gene.

            Gene enjoyed watching his grandkids sporting events, from hill climbing and motorcycle racing to dance recitals, soccer, basketball, softball games and cheerleading.

             Gene’s hobbies included fishing, boating, camping, snowmobiling, and keeping his yard trimmed neatly.  His pickup trucks were always new and polished.  He and Sharon spent countless camping trips with the Good Sam’s Club, and he also enjoyed playing cards with his friends at the Moose Lodge.  Gene was able to enjoy one last fishing trip on Yellowtail Dam with his son Doug and son-in-law Jeff, just 1 week ago.

            Gene lived in Redwood City, California where he became a Journeyman Machinist.  While working at Western Gear, he cut the gear for the Space Needle.  This task took over 2 weeks to complete.  He enjoyed mechanical work and in 1969 purchased a Texaco Service Station and moved his family to Billings, all of his kids were able to work with him in the business.  Several of the stations he owned were Quast Texaco, Courthouse Texaco, Evergreen Texaco, and Texaco West.  When Texaco pulled its stations from Montana he switched to the Husky Brand and had Gene’s Husky and AAA Wreckers until 1983 when severe injuries from a motorcycle accident forced a 10 year trial at retirement.

            In 1994 he reopened Texaco West as a C-Store until another Texaco retreat resulted in 24^th Street Cenex on the corner of 24^th and Lewis.  He enjoyed his customers until cancer forced his final retirement in late 2006.  However never officially retiring, as he would drive around town to check gas prices at his competitors stores, and continued to stop in the 24^th Street Cenex to visit with his customers.

            In addition to his wife Sharon Quast, his children and grandchildren who affectionately referred to his as “Papa”, Gene is survived by his sister, Donna Shuldheisz of Anoka, MN.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Curtis Quast and brother-in-law, Norman Shuldheisz.

            Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday at Faith Chapel.  Burial of cremated remains will follow at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.

            Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice or the charity of one’s choice.