Eugene “Gene” Leroy Stai

Eugene “Gene” Leroy Stai, 91, of Bemidji, MN died Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Neilson Place in Bemidji, MN.

An open house celebrating Gene’s life will be held at Beltrami Electric Building, Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm for family and friends.

Gene was born in International Falls, Minnesota to Henry and Mamie (Thulin) Stai. He grew up on Myrtle Lake in Debs, MN and later married Mary Ann Larson of Debs on April 2, 1960. They moved to a farm north of Bemidji in 1965 where they farmed, raised livestock and crops, logged, and raised a family. Gene worked construction for many years as a heavy equipment operator for numerous companies in the Bemidji area and was a logger and farmer. He also enjoyed helping build Kingdoms Halls in many cities and attended the Bemidji congregation. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and tinkering on old tractors and machinery and having coffee with all his friends – the coffee pot was always on. Nearing retirement, he developed his land on Grange Rd. NW into Lots and named the development "Gene's Acres"; and with his love of heavy construction, built the road into the development and called it "Stais Country Court NW".

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; children, Lea Anne (Myron) Friberg of Plattville, WI, Barbara Job of Bemidji, MN, Curtis (Kari) Stai of Pinewood, MN, and David Stai of Bemidji, MN; sister, Elaine Ihde of Blackduck, MN, nephew Mel Patch of San Antonio, TX, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Stai, daughter-in-law, Kim Stai, sister Joanne Patch, niece Becky Jo Patch, son-in-law Richard Job, grandson Neil Friberg and brothers-in-law Dan Patch and Bill Ihde.