Home > United States of America > Montana > Madison County > Ennis > Madison Valley Cemetery > Dr Gene Curtis Wilkins

Dr Gene Curtis Wilkins

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Birth	:	21 Aug 1931 Kennard, Washington County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	27 Dec 2013 Ennis, Madison County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Madison Valley Cemetery, Ennis, Madison County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.3345370, -111.7050900
Description	:	Gene Curtis Wilkins, known fondly to many around Ennis as "Doc," passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2013. Gene was born to Grover and Fern Wilkins in Kennard, Neb., Aug. 21, 1931, and was the youngest of seven children. Gene graduated from high school in Arlington, Neb., and then attended the University of Nebraska where he received a degree in agriculture. He then entered the Navy where he trained as a navigator and served four years during the end of the Korean War. Upon completion of his military service, he attended the University of Nebraska where he received his degree... Read More	Gene Curtis Wilkins, known fondly to many around Ennis as "Doc," passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2013. Gene was born to Grover and Fern Wilkins in Kennard, Neb., Aug. 21, 1931, and was the youngest of seven children. Gene graduated from high school in Arlington, Neb., and then attended the University of Nebraska where he received a degree in agriculture. He then entered the Navy where he trained as a navigator and served four years during the end of the Korean War. Upon completion of his military service, he attended the University of Nebraska where he received his degree in medicine and a lifelong passion for Nebraska Cornhusker football. Gene married Nancy Norton in 1961 and began his medical career in York, Neb. He and Nancy had two sons, Jay and Jamie. While practicing in York, he was contacted by Dr. Ron Losee of Ennis who was seeking someone to come to Ennis to assist in the medical needs of the community. Losee had become very busy in his orthopedic work and was in need of someone to handle the day to day medical practice in the area. Gene, being the avid skier, hunter and fisherman that he was, visited Ennis on a winter trip and consequently took the plunge in 1964, moving his young family to the Madison Valley to set up his own practice and establish a new clinic to attend to the general needs of the residents of the Madison Valley. Gene started with the basics including setting up a small lab and system for seeing patients and attending to emergency needs. Gene taught assistants to do the lab work and eventually established an emergency medical technician training program to train local volunteers to staff a local ambulance service. After eight years in Ennis, Gene went to Utah and recruited the first physician assistant in the state of Montana. Back then, the physician assistant program in Utah was unique and Gene saw it as a solution to recruiting doctors to small towns in rural Montana. Gene hired Ron Handlos to work with him; however, Montana had no laws governing physician assistants and so Gene worked with the Legislature to get the first laws concerning PAs enacted in the state. After establishing Handlos in Ennis, Gene helped establish a PA in West Yellowstone as well. Doc was most proud of his obstetrics work and never hesitated to mention that he had delivered more than 400 babies during his career. Gene and his first wife divorced shortly after moving to Ennis, but Gene stayed on and raised his two young boys with the help of friends, family and the Ennis community. In 1972, he met and subsequently married Eileen Paasch of Elkhorn, Neb., and together they had two daughters, Sarah and Julie. All four children graduated from Ennis High School, and Gene spent many hours enjoying and watching them in their pursuits and sporting events. Doc Wilkins tried more than once to retire from medicine but was continually called back due to lack of physicians in the area. He finally retired from medicine for good in 2004 when his wife Eileen became ill. Gene was by her side through her cancer ordeal, which ended in 2005 with her death. Gene devoted his life to the medical needs of the Ennis community in a career that spanned four decades, and he was honored for this service in the dedication of the new clinic and hospital in the summer of 2011. Throughout his life, Gene continued to enjoy hunting and fishing and was also an avid gardener. He loved living in his home on Ennis Lake and sharing that home with a multitude of he and Eileen's friends and family. Fourth of July on Ennis Lake has been a huge gathering time for friends and family alike, and Gene was always the gracious host. Everyone was always welcomed at "the lake" all year round. Gene never lost his farming roots, and the lake property reflected this as he tended to his sheep, cows and horses. When fishing, gardening or "farming" he was rarely seen without his trademark cigar. Gene loved painting in watercolor and invested many years practicing and creating some truly wonderful works of art. An annual holiday event for many family and friends was his personal Christmas cards. In October, he would start working at his art table sketching ideas and smiling to himself. He would never tell the family what the annual painting would be, causing all the kids to watch for weeks as the painting evolved into its final form. His paintings reflected his love of the outdoors, family and a superb wry sense of humor. Gene was a quiet, gentle man with a huge heart. Besides being a country doctor, he would be described by most as a true country gentleman. He was a member of the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church of Ennis and was ordained as an elder. He was an active member of the hospital board for several years and was a member of Masonic Lodge 2 in Ennis. Gene is survived by his four children and 10 grandchildren, Jay Wilkins of Bozeman, his wife, Heidi Wilkins and their children, Cameron, 17, and Kiley, 14, Jamie Wilkins of Helena, his wife, Katie Wilkins and their children, Chase, 21, Grace, 9, William, 5, and Noah, 1, Sarah (Wilkins) Schreiber of Sheridan, Wyo., with children, Luke, 4, and Eli, 1, Julie (Wilkins) York of Loyalton, Calif., with husband, Todd York and children, Riley, 24, and Becky, 26; sister, Ruth Kruger of Elkhorn, Neb.; sister-in-law, Toby Wilkins of Ennis, sister-in-law, Muriel Wilkins of Nebraska; and a multitude of nieces and nephews throughout Nebraska, Montana and beyond. He was preceded in death by wife, Eileen; parents; brothers, Jamie, William G. Bob, Joe C.; and sister, Eva Pearson. Memorials are suggested to Madison Valley Medical Center Foundation, 305 N. Main St., Ennis, MT 59729 or Madison Valley Presbyterian Church, Box 125, Ennis, MT 59729. Services will be held at, 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis. Fellowship luncheon at the church follows interment. Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Dr Gene Curtis Wilkins's memorial?
Dr Gene Curtis Wilkins's memorial is located at: Madison Valley Cemetery, Ennis, Madison County, USA.
When did Dr Gene Curtis Wilkins death?
Dr Gene Curtis Wilkins death on 27 Dec 2013 in Ennis, Madison County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Dr Gene Curtis Wilkins's memorial?
Latitude: 45.3345370
Longitude: -111.7050900

Family Members:

Parent

(unknow - unknow)

Spouse

Eileen Ann Paasch Wilkins

(1943 - 2005)

Siblings

Robert F. “Bob” Wilkins

(1917 - 2011)

Eva Lafern Wilkins Pearson

(1919 - 2010)

(unknow - unknow)

Ruth Elaine Wilkins Kruger

(1925 - 2014)

Joseph Cecil “Joe” Wilkins

(1929 - 2003)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Madison Valley Cemetery
Ennis, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3345370, -111.7050900

2. Evans Cemetery
Jeffers, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3451000, -111.6836000

3. Daems Vetter Cemetery
Varney, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2377635, -111.7550082

4. McAllister Cemetery
McAllister, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4435000, -111.7421000

5. Virginia City Cemetery
Virginia City, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2971458, -111.9402542

6. Boothill Cemetery
Virginia City, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2956009, -111.9480972

7. Bear Creek Cemetery
Cameron, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1740000, -111.5900000

8. Nevada City Cemetery
Virginia City, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3105392, -111.9703598

9. Red Bluff Cemetery
Norris, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5892000, -111.6476000

10. Taylor Cemetery
Alder, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3088989, -112.0781021

11. Laurin Cemetery
Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3574982, -112.1050034

12. Soldiers Chapel Cemetery
Big Sky Canyon Village, Gallatin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2639900, -111.2566900

13. Black Cemetery
Bozeman, Gallatin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6464615, -111.5190811

14. Valley View Cemetery
Pony, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6580000, -111.8814000

15. Sheridan Cemetery
Sheridan, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4342003, -112.1781006

16. Upper Ruby Cemetery
Burdick Place, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1517300, -112.1461000

17. Harrison Cemetery
Harrison, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7228012, -111.7891998

18. Hills Cemetery
Church Hill, Gallatin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6854800, -111.3105200

19. Little Holland Cemetery
Gallatin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6861000, -111.3097000

20. Salesville Cemetery
Gallatin Gateway, Gallatin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6130981, -111.1952972

21. Sappington Cemetery
Gallatin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7906890, -111.7701390

22. Twin Bridges Cemetery
Twin Bridges, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5304350, -112.3142840

23. At Home on the Range Pet Cemetery
Manhattan, Gallatin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7584000, -111.3974200

24. Masonic Cemetery of Twin Bridges
Twin Bridges, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5423088, -112.3152924