Gene Paul Riesenberg, of Rosemount, was born July 5, 1946 in Mankato, Minnesota to Ervin and Mable Riesenberg of St. James, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1964, and earned an Associate degree in drafting from Dunwoody. He met his wife Carolyn in high school, and they were married in 1968 until her death in 2020. After a stint in the USAF, they lived in many different locations – St. Louis Park, Omaha NE, Owosso MI, Council Bluffs IA, Lakeville and Rosemount. Gene spent the entirety of his career in the energy industry.

Survived by daughter, Amy, and his cherished grandson, Aaron. He was affectionately called “Bapa” and was a generous and fun-loving dad and grandpa. He was also survived by his brother, Chuck, and his family.

Gene had many passions besides his family: landscaping, stamp collecting, thoroughbred racing and RVing. He and Carolyn traveled all over the US in their retirement, living out their dream of being on the road as much as possible.

Gene passed away peacefully from a long illness on June 5, 2026, exactly one month shy of his 80th birthday, and one day shy of the Belmont. He will be dearly missed, though we know that he and Carolyn are now together again at the big RV park in the sky, and will welcome us home one day. Private family interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Memorials requested to Old Friends Equine, a non-profit organization that cares for retired thoroughbreds.