Gene Gerald Hillesland, age 84, resident of Aneta, ND and Tallahassee, FL passed away unexpectedly on December 15 th 2011 at his home in Tallahassee, FL.

He was born August 26 th 1927 to Didrick and Alfreda (Freeman) Hillesland in Northwood, ND. He was baptized and confirmed in Aneta and graduated from Aneta High School in 1945. He then entered the U.S. Navy and was discharged in 1946. He attended Reedley Junior College for 2 years and in 1951 he began attending NDSU in Fargo. Gene taught at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois for 2 years. Gene then entered the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge he worked for RCA. He spent 20 years in the Bahama Islands and Puerto Rico testing submarines and long range weapons. He was inducted into the Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame for developing the Pyro Bright Flash automatic timing system, which has been used for the past 20 years in high school and college track and field events.

Gene was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed working at the Stump Lake County Park, and spending time at the Aneta Café.

Survivors include his sister-in-law, Jan Hillesland of Wadena, MN; nephew, Brian (Patti) Hillesland of Wadena, MN; nieces, Nancy (Rick) Ronning of Blaine MN, Wendy (Dale) Kelly of Huntington, AR, and Amy ( Bryan ) Greenwaldt of Wadena, MN. He will also be missed by many other extended family members and many friends in Aneta.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Didrick and Alfreda, and his only brother, Earl Hillesland.

Gene's Funeral Service will be held at Sundahl Lutheran Church of Aneta, ND, on Friday, December 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Kenneth Iverson. The organist will be Joan Huso with special music provided by Wendy Kelly & Amy Greenwaldt with piano accompaniment by Nancy Ronning. Interment will be at Silent Hill Cemetery, Aneta. The casketbearers will be Andrew Hillesland, Jacob Hillesland, Kyle Ronning, Kirby Ronning, David Hillesland, and Don Hillesland. Military Honors will be accorded by the Edward A. Broberg American Legion Post #16 of Aneta. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, beginning at 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.