Edward Eugene (Gene) White, 84, was welcomed into the arms of God on January 31, 2023.
Gene was born June 16, 1938 to Richard (Hugh) and Mary Cromer White in Mound City, KS. In his youth, the family moved to Overland Park and ran the Wolverine Dairy at 85th and Metcalf. He attended Shawnee Mission High School and Rockhurst College. He married Ursula Gastreich and had five children. He has spent his career as owner and operator of the family business, the famous and beloved White Haven Motor Lodge.
Gene would be described as full of life, always with a cheerful smile and eager to embrace a good time. He loved spending time with family and friends and was always up for a good laugh.
Gene was an avid global traveler, sharing his adventurous spirit with his children and grandchildren. He also bred and raced quarter horses and loved encouraging them with family and friends. He has named at least one horse after his wife and each of his children. He was an active parishioner of Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, having been a founding member and attending QHR School in its opening year. A devout Catholic, he sent all of his children to QHR and Catholic secondary education. He was very generous and charitable, always lending a hand to those in need, including building a home for girls and women in India.
Gene is survived by his four children, Erica Garrett, Angela Brill, Monica Westhoven (Steve) and AlexWhite (Bridget). He is survived by his beloved eight grandchildren: Brandon, Nick, Eric, Faith, Mitch, Colin, Alex and Libby and great-grandson Lachlan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ursula, and his son, Jerome Christian.
Gene will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The family suggests memorial donations to Queen of the Holy Rosary Church and City Union Mission.
Services will be held Saturday, February 4 at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Church 6925 W. 71st. St. Overland Park, KS. 66204. A rosary will be said at 9:30, with a visitation from 9:45 to 10:30, followed by a Christian burial Mass. After Mass, friends and family are invited to attend a church luncheon followed by Insurnment at 1:00pm at Johnson County Memorial Gardens.
