Eugene “Gene” Robert Severson, devoted husband, friend, family member, educator and coach, passed away on December 24, 2025 at age 86.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 8, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E Ave C, Bismarck.

Burial will be held at a later date.

Gene was born September 12, 1939 to Robert and Alvena (Schmidt) Severson and grew up in Fessenden ND. From an early age, he developed a deep passion for sports, playing football, basketball and baseball throughout his high school years-activities that would shape both his career and his philosophy of life.

Gene began his teaching career at age 19 in a rural school in Wells County. He later taught in Washburn ND, and on completion of his teaching degree at Minot State, he moved to Bismarck where he taught 6th grade at Northridge Elementary.

Gene believed deeply that athletic activity was essential to a child’s growth-physically, emotionally and socially. He was described as the guiding light behind what became the intramural athletic program on the elementary level in Bismarck. He created a team name and logo and joyfully coached the Northridge Superstars basketball teams.

It was at Northridge that Gene met the love of his life, LeAnn, and they were married on December 28, 1983. LeAnn steadfastly supported him in his coaching endeavors and proudly answered to the title “Mrs. Coach”.

Gene’s passion for baseball became his profound legacy when he developed youth baseball programs through Bismarck Parks and Recreation.

He went on to coach the Scarlets and Governors teams in the American Legion baseball program and later served as head coach for the Century High School team. His commitment to students and players extended far beyond the classroom, gym and ball fields, leaving a lasting impact on countless young lives.

Not one to seek attention or accolades, Gene was humbly honored to have the Northridge Gymnasium dedicated in his name, to have been voted Baseball Coach of the Year by his peers, and to have been inducted into the North Dakota American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame.

A devoted fan of the New York Yankees, one of the highlights of Gene’s life was attending a Yankee Dream Camp where he met and played along side many of the Yankee greats and childhood heroes including Mickey Mantle.

Gene is survived by his wife, LeAnn; sister Joan (Bob) Breyer; sister-in-law Mavis Muller; brother-in-law Al Kocis; niece Mary Beth Cance and sons; nephews Tony Breyer, Lance Kocis and family; and Todd (Kim) and son. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Judy Kocis.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff at Essentia, CHI, Sanford and the Bismarck Cancer Center for the compassionate care they provided Gene.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be appreciated and used to benefit Bismarck youth through scholarship funds at Northridge and Faith Lutheran Church and youth baseball programs.