Earl Gene Aune, 76, Wilton, ND died December 20, 2023 at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church, Wilton.  Interment will be held in Riverview Cemetery, Wilton.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 all at the church in Wilton.

Earl was born on April 1, 1947 to Edwin and Thelma (Mallett) Aune. He attended Wilton High School. In his junior year of high school he joined the United States Marine Corp. Earl was a mechanic that worked on F-4 fighter jets. He served from 1964-1968. He then decided to go farm for his dad. Earl loved his time farming and raising sheep.

He later joined the North Dakota National Guard for 10 years. Earl then worked for the USDA Soil Conservation as a plant material specialist for 33 years. Earl retired in 2013.

Earl enjoyed hunting, fishing, and adding to his collection of Betty Boop. He was also known as a cowboy poet.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years Kathy; sons, Rob (Lisa) and David (Dawn); daughters, Tammy, and Ronda (Chad); sister, Sylvia (Lester) Vollan; 15 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Maureen; 2 nephews.