Ralph Eugene Wolden

“Geno”, Gene, Ralph Eugene Wolden passed on January 20, 2024 at Davis Hospice, Cheyenne, Wyoming with his sister, Linda at his side.  Gene was born to Virginia and Arnold Wolden on August 28, 1952 in Quinn, SD.
Gene attended Philip Schools and married Jeanie Elrod on November 28, 1973.  To this union, six children were born, Cory, Naco, Blaine, Bridget, Dustin and Heather.  They later divorced.
As a young adult, Gene worked as a ranch hand in the Philip area and later moved to eastern South Dakota  and then Gillette, Wyoming.   He was a semi truck driver and motel manager.   For the last 18 years he has applied his carpentry and maintenance skills along with his people skills to manage the Iledman Hotel apartments in Cheyenne.
Gene was active in Boy Scouts and boxing and showed his artistic abilities with his artwork and 4H projects.
Geno’s chosen friends in Cheyenne became an extended family for Gene as he shared kindness, encouragement, humor and his life’s wisdom with them, usually at the Crowne Bar.  Gene became more famous when a New York Times reporter came asking questions and Gene was quoted and photographed for the newspaper attracting a lot of other news media attention as well.  He was proud of his stance to support the truth.  Gene liked to play the casino machines and usually claimed he came out ahead.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brothers George Johnson, Michael Johnson and Mark, sister Janet Craven and two grandchildren.   He is survived by his children, ex-wife Jeanie and 8 grandchildren, sister Linda and brothers, Roger and Terry (Julie),  his family of friends  in Cheyenne Wyoming and special friend, Jackie.
A Celebration of Life will be held later.  Memorials may be directed to Davis Hospice in Cheyenne, WY.