Eugene “Gene” Vesely

Eugene “Gene” Joseph Vesely, age 77, of Toledo, Iowa, passed away on February 14, 2025, at Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 12-3 PM at the Toledo American Legion.

Gene was born on December 6, 1947, in Rogers Hospital, Toledo, Iowa, the son of Joe and Elsie (Dvorak) Vesely. He graduated from South Tama County High School in the class of 1966. After graduation, he attended U.S. Trade Schools in Kansas City, Missouri, specializing in auto mechanics. Gene served his country in the U.S. Army for two years, serving one tour of duty in Vietnam.

On October 2, 1971, he married Betty Kalinay at St. Patrick’s Church in Tama, Iowa. Over the years, he has enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping, first with their two girls and later with their two grandchildren. Gene and Betty enjoyed going to auctions and garage sales.

Gene had been in the auto body repair business for 41 years. In 1994, he started his own auto body repair and towing business, Gene’s Body Shop. He retired in 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, Toledo; children, Karen Vesely, Grinnell, and Kelly (Jason) Balvin, Chelsea; Grandchildren, Laura (Manuel) Contreras, Tama, and Dylan Naylor, Chelsea; Great-grandson, Kenzo Contreras; brother, Leonard Vesely, Newton; and sister, Marcella (Roger) Boldt, Chelsea.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister, Helen Forbes; twin great-grandsons; brothers-in-law, Bernard Kalinay, Emil Kalinay and Ed Diggins; and sisters-in-law, Charlene Vesely and Joan Kalinay.

A memorial fund will be established.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama, Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.