Gene Edsel Emly was born to Gladys (Enger) and M.P. (Pete) Emly on January 19, 1963 in Sidney, Montana.

He started school in Fairview Special Education before moving to the Friendship Village School in Fargo, North Dakota from 1977-1984. He returned to the MonDak area in 1984, living in Williston.

While in Williston, he went to the 660 radio station nearly every morning for coffee. Jeff Nelson called him “The Manager of the Stars.” He could frequently be found dancing at the Silver Dollar where he was called, “Gene, Gene, The Dancing Machine.”

He helped Bernell and Gerry Gardover of The Valley Cash. When he was in the way, Bernell would tell him it was time to sweep the sidewalk – and Gene would leave because he hated sweeping.

He moved to Sidney in the late nineties where he found a “home” at the Law & Justice Center. He patrolled the streets daily and checked on nearly every business in town, until he moved to the Wibaux nursing home in 2020.

One of Gene’s favorite people in his life was his nephew, Dawson. Whether they were wrestling around, playing in the swimming pool, telling jokes, or Dawson was sneaking him candy bars and root beer, they always had a good time together.

Gene passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023, at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive, Montana.

Gene is survived by his sisters, Ina Ashcraft and Avis (Lonnie) Falcon; brothers Warren (Paula) Emly, Winston (Bonnie) Emly, Norman Emly, and Roscoe Emly; half-sisters Roxie (Rusty) Houchen, Alice Heinzman, Shirley Winsted, and Carol Mort; sisters-in-law Irene Emly, Donna Emly, Eilene Emly, Elain Emly, and Rosanne Emly; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents M.P. and Gladys; brothers Miles, Myron, and Ronald; sister Alva; half-brothers Albert, Richard, Milo, Harold, George, Marvin, and Elgene; and half-sisters Mildred, Mary, and Ila.