Gene Milo Taix was born to Edward and Mabel (Clark) Taix on November 16, 1943, in Bismarck, ND. Gene died on August 31, 2026. He had been homebound since May 2023 after several hip surgeries, complicated by Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia.

Gene was raised on a farm south of Bismarck, along with his sisters Patricia, Mary Jo, and Jane. He attended Country School Lincoln No. 1, Burleigh County, from grades 1 through 7. After the family moved into Bismarck in 1957, Gene attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from St. Mary’s High School 1961.

Gene attended Bismarck (Junior) State College, graduating in 1963. He continued his college education at NDSU in Fargo, graduating 1966 with a BS Degree in Industrial Engineering. Gene and his young family moved to St. Paul, MN, where he began a 7-year career with the 3M Company, serving as a Product Engineer for 3 years and a Process Supervisor for 4 years. The family lived in St. Paul until the Summer of 1973, when they returned to Bismarck so that Gene could assist his father with his medical needs. During that time, Gene worked for Kirschmann Manufacturing as the first Industrial Engineer hired by Kirschmann’s. The company was later purchased by the Melroe Manufacturing Company, where he was employed for seven years.

For 10 years, Gene was employed as Office Manager for the North American Coal Company. Upon leaving North American Coal, he was employed as General Manager of Dakota Collectibles, retiring in 2013 after 18.5 years with the company.

Gene and Dianne (Schneider) were married in 1963 and have three children. Randy and his wife Shelli (Bender) are parents to three children – Tyler, Shandi, and Elijah; Brian and his wife Sonja Valentin are parents to Caitlyn, Dannon, and Nathan; and Lori (Chris) Mantz, has two children – Javan and Julian – from her first marriage.

Gene enjoyed all sports while growing up and into his adulthood. He liked swimming, fishing, hunting, camping, skiing, boating, bowling, and golfing. He especially loved music and had a jukebox on which he played his old ’45s; and he found exceptional joy in restoring his red and white 1955 Pontiac Convertible, which he proudly showed at various car shows, winning a couple of prizes along the way. He enjoyed vacations with his family, and his friends and their families. There were many joint vacations with friends and their families, resulting in life-long friendships between the children, as well.

Gene is survived by Dianne, his wife of over 63 years; and by his three children and eight grandchildren. While his parents, Edward Taix and Mabel Taix, preceded Gene in death, he is survived by his sister Patricia Pfliger and her children, Gwen, Burton, Paula, Mindy, and Jesse, whose sibling John is deceased; and his sister Jane (Roger) Felchle. Sister, Mary Jo (Tom) Hildenbrand, is deceased and is survived by her daughter Keary. Gene is also survived by cousins Janice Hubal and Nancy Ziesler, and half-siblings Sharon Balkowitz and Albert Fischer.

There will be no public viewing, as cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will begin at 2 p.m., on Saturday, September 5, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy.

Private burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Dianne and her children would like to thank Dakota Home Care who have assisted in Gene's care since he came home from the nursing home and Caring Edge who assisted Dakota Home for final stages to his passing. She'd also like to thank Gene’s friends for checking up on him from time-to-time, and especially those life-long friends who came to see him at the house regularly and on special occasions. The bonds of friendship are truly a blessing to be treasured.