Gene D Soli

Gene David Soli, of Milton, North Dakota, passed away on April 25, 2025, at the age of 88. He was born on September 7, 1936 to Ruth Kjennerud Soli and George Soli of Vang, North Dakota, the youngest of five siblings. As a child, he moved to Milton, North Dakota, where he was a lifelong resident. Gene graduated from Milton High School in 1954. He enlisted in the Navy in 1958 and served until 1962, then returned to Milton and worked as a farmer and in construction. He married Mary Ann Spears in November of 1968, gaining an instant family of five children. They made the farm on the banks of the coulee their home where the landscape reminded Mary Ann of the hills and trees of her youth.

Gene lived an active life, farming; coaxing new life out of aging combines; flying his own plane. He enjoyed shooting the breeze with neighbors, riding snowmobiles, going fishing for walleye and curling at the Milton rink. All dogs seemed to love him and he loved them back. He grew up watching his oldest brother, Allen, learn to fly a plane that he and his friends had purchased, using an airstrip on their farm. After his earlier service experience in what was then known as the Naval Air Corps, Gene decided to start flight training in 1971, earning his pilot's license. He then took additional schooling to obtain his commercial license. He received a certificate in aerial spraying, after which he began an aerial spraying service in Milton. Gene loved flying and was a natural pilot as well as a virtual aircraft encyclopedia. He and his copilot, Mary Ann, had some good trips flying across the United States in his Cessna 175.

Gene retired from farming in the early 2000s and spent more winters in Florida and Arizona where he made friends over coffee and cards and enjoyed the well-deserved sunshine. He valued time with his spouse and children as well as his siblings and their families and was a fun-loving grandpa to nine grandchildren.

Gene is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; five children, Laura Shelton, Wade Spears, Della Spears, Lillie Spears and Beth Novacek; and by many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Allan Soli, Doris Soli McLeod Hanson, Elaine Soli Schrier and Charles Soli. He is greatly missed.

Memorial Services will be Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. at the Milton Lutheran Church, Milton, North Dakota.  Inurnment will be at the Milton Memorial Cemetery, rural Milton.  Military Rites will be provided by the Milton American Legion Post #179 and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honors.  The family would prefer memorials to the Milton Lutheran Church, 5020 Oakland Avenue, Milton, ND 58260.