Eugene Leroy Thorne was born March 5, 1973, in Seward, to Leroy Thorne and Debbie Lukert and passed away Sept. 1, 2026, in Wilber, at the age of 53 years, 5 months, and 27 days.
Gene grew up in Seward, where he attended school and graduated from Seward High School with the Class of 1991. He was a proud and dedicated employee of Nestlé Purina PetCare in Crete, where he worked for 20 years.
Gene loved spending time with his family, riding his 2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide, camping, and traveling. He was especially proud of his 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500. Gene also enjoyed painting and playing games, and he loved spoiling his dogs. He was a proud member of UFCW Local 222IN.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, Lester and Faye Lukert, and Clifford and Bessie Thorne; uncle, Joe Lukert; aunt and uncle, Lorrenda and Denzil Cobb; and mother-in-law, Joyce Boerger.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife, Julianne Thorne, Wilber; siblings, Brandon (Ashley) Lukert, Seward, Lacy Lukert, York, and Clifton Thorne, Milford; stepchildren, Joshua (Jamie) Menke, Kansas City, Priscilla (Steven) Graves, Colorado, and Dakota Menke, Idaho; parents, Leroy Thorne, Milford and Debbie Lukert, Seward; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gene (Natalie) Boerger, Tennessee, Edward Boerger, Kansas, and Tim (Julie) Boerger, Lincoln; grandchildren, Hadley, Owen and Miller Menke, Lillyana, River and Parker Graves; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 1 – 8 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4 – 6 p.m. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the funeral home with interment at the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the April Sampson Cancer Center.
Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
