Visitation: Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19 at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD. A private family burial will take place following the visitation at Lands Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hudson, SD.
Gene A. Brodland, 85, of Springfield, IL, died at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 7, 2020, at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, IL.
Gene was born in rural South Dakota on June 16, 1935, the son of George and Martha (Hegge) Brodland. He married Mary Tuntland, mother of his four sons, who preceded him in death. He then married Catherine Pence who also preceded him in death. In 2006, Gene married Evelyn “Evie“ McMillan-Burchett.
He graduated high school in 1953 from Augustana Academy in Canton, SD. He earned an associate degree in Industrial Arts from Waldorf College in 1955 and after a stint in the Army he returned to Sioux Falls, S.D. to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Augustana College in 1960, followed by a master’s degree (MSW) from the University of Iowa in 1963.
Gene went on to be one of the founders of the Department of Psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine in 1973. He retired August 14, 2020 after over 47 years at SIU-SM as an Associate Professor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Psychotherapist. He was known to take leadership roles throughout his career and gained recognition, earning many awards from a multitude of organizations including the Who’s Who “Professional of the Year” and “Distinguished Alumnus” at Augustana College. He loved to sing and was a member of the Barbershop Chorus, the Springfield Choral Society and the Jacksonville Orchestra Chorale. Gene was also the president of a bowling league and very involved in the Junior Football League in Springfield for many years.
He and his wife Evie enjoyed several trips to Europe and toured 10 countries there while singing with the Springfield Choral Society.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wayne Brodland.
He is survived by his wife; sons, David (Laura) Brodland, Paul (Meredith) Brodland, Mark (Shereé) Brodland, and John (Virginia “Ginny”) Brodland; step-children, Mindi Cade, David Pence, Sharon Mather, Patty Burchett, and Sandra Slater; 25 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; brother, Ray (Connie) Brodland; and six nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19 at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD. A private family burial will take place following the visitation at Lands Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hudson, SD.
Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Lutheran Church Rose Garden Maintenance and Improvement Fund, 2800 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62702.
Broadland Family, Our most sincere Sympathy, love and prayers.
Gene and I were classmates at the Academy. In fact we roomed together in
our Freshman year. We played football together and many other great memories.
Good days and loads of memories to last. Only wishing the covid virus wasnt here
as I would have loved to attend the memorial service.
Again my sympathy to you all. Lloyd Knutson Class of :53
Gene has been a good friend and colleague to us for many years. First, to Georgia, when she began working for the Neurology Department of SIU back in the early 1990s, and later to Terry when he joined the Illinois Symphony Chorus in the early 2000s. Gene was always very friendly and enthusiastic about his work and life. We still remember our time with Gene and Evie during the Choral Society Italy Tour. We will greatly miss Gene and feel blessed and honored to have known him.
Mr. Broadland was my therapist for some time before his passing. I am thankful to have had that time with him.