Gene Bradford Schepp

Gene Bradford Schepp, 71, passed away on May 31, 2025, in Killdeer, ND. His celebration of life will be on June 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Heartland Community Church, 1701 Main Ave East, West Fargo, ND.

Gene was born on November 26, 1953, to Edwin and Janice (Henderson) Schepp in Bottineau, ND. He attended school in Newberg, ND and later worked toward and obtained his GED. He worked for 33 years for Case IH as a welder and continued to weld part-time for Action Truck and Trailor Repair and ITP. Once he put his welding torch down, he enjoyed long-truck hauling. He was a jack of all trades and in his off time he built wind cups for SWEN Weathervanes, loved to farm and was the CEO (Carrie Everything Out) for Ivory Leathers where he and his wife, Ruth would travel to bike rallies selling leather, bike accessories, and sewing patches.

Gene married Barb Hawkenson of Wendell, MN, on February 2, 1974. The couple made their home in Barnesville, MN, where they raised their two children. In 1997, they moved to Detroit Lakes, MN. Gene and Barb were active members of Assumption Catholic Church, where they taught Sunday School and led the church youth group. Gene generously volunteered his time with several community events. He was involved with Barnesville Potato Days, organized and served as an announcer for the local BMX track, and helped with the Assumption Church’s food booth at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag, MN. Additionally, he was a member of the Jaycees. He was involved with AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and was sober for 44 years. Throughout his journey, he mentored countless people guiding them to hope and healing in their own journeys - a testament to his incredible strength and how he led his life with a servant’s heart. Gene was always helping a friend, a family member and even a stranger. Whether he was helping a brother or a nephew get crops in or out of the fields, helping a friend build a house, a deck, a race car, or pulling a stranger out of the ditch; helping was his way of life. He was a man who was always on the go and loved staying active, from ice skating, sledding and downhill skiing in the winters, to camping, gardening and riding his bike in the summers. Gene was an entertainer at heart with his abilities to tell a great story, take out his guitar and sing a song pretty much anywhere, he was a man with a fun-loving sprit, and it followed him wherever he went.

Shortly after Gene and Barb moved to Detroit Lakes, they decided to part ways and Gene married Ruth (Orth) Watts on December 26, 2002. They lived their lives in Garnder, ND. They were a match made in heaven, each other’s half, partners in crime. Ruth owned Ivory Leathers, rode motorcycles, and supported Gene in all his endeavors. Whether it was growing the world’s largest pumpkin, to selling everything they owned to buy a burnt down bar and eventually building a home where each of them had a workshop. There, Gene could create his metal yard décor and Ruth could continue to run Ivory Leathers. They were very involved in their community, where Ruth served as the Mayor of Gardner from 2008 to 2010. They were members of the Congregation Lutheran Church where they built a close-knit community family, and he continued to serve and help others. They eventually joined Heartland Community Church and participated in bible study and grew further into their faith. They joined the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) gaining another community family in which to share their love of God and riding. There is not a person that Gene met who was not blessed by his love, his laughter, and his generosity.

Gene is survived by his wife, Ruth Schepp and his former wife, Barb Rollie; his children, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law: Nichole Wishart of Buffalo, MN, Bryan Schepp and Mellisa Schepp of Minot, ND, Teri Schepp of Big Horn, WY, Craig and Rachael Olson of Johnson City, TN, and Wally and Lisa Long of Morristown, TN. He also survived by his grandchildren: Jackson Schepp, Calvin Wishart, Reese Wishart, Brodryck Wishart, Mason Schepp, Dylan Schepp, Kaitlyn Schepp, Gage Olson, Abby French and a great-granddaughter Drew Wishart-Blomgren. Siblings and sisters-in-law Lynn Schepp, Gary and Joyce Schepp, Neil Schepp, Nancy Schepp, and Lyle and Jerylyn Schepp, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters-in-law in law: Martha Schepp, and Kim Schepp.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 21st 2025 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Heartland Community Church - 1751 Main Ave E, West Fargo ND, 58078. The prayer service will begin at 12:00 pm, with a meal and fellowship following the service.