Eugene M Bulian

Eugene Max Bulian, age 100, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 7, 2026 at the Avera Sister James Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, July 7, 2027 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton SD with Rev. Bob Lacey officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD, with military honors by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post # 791 Honor Guard and the SD Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 PM, Monday, July 6, 2026 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Scripture service. Online condolences may be sent at: www.okfhc.com. To view Eugene’s service live, click this link: https://server.attend.live/static/event/lYMQM.

Gene was born on May 3, 1926 to Max and Rose (Brill-Schultz) Bulian in Groton, SD. Growing up in rural South Dakota during the depression, he walked two miles to and from school. The blown dirt and sand were so thick the teacher drove them home in a Model T two miles on the rim and didn’t know it. She would put towels in the windows to keep the dust out of the home. The James River was so dry there were only puddles. He loved to eat his mother’s warm bread. They would put cream and radishes on top.

He was very proud of his military service, serving during WWII in Europe, sharing his military experience in classrooms at Sacred Heart School and participating in the Honor Flight. Gene was drafted in September, 1944, and trained at Camp Fannin. He was assigned to the 3rd Army, 87th Infantry (the “Golden Acorn”-too green to fight, too yellow to run.”), 345th Regiment, Company B. His company pushed off across the Moselle River, into the Rhine River at Koblenz. While on a scouting mission, they would listen to the artillery; if it whistled, then it toppled end over end, causing an explosion. They would bunk in German fox holes, in the shape of a horseshoe. On another scouting mission he was shot by a sniper, receiving the Purple Heart, but rejoined his unit near the Czech border, near Oelsnitz, where he celebrated his 19th birthday. He was Honorably Discharged in July, 1946, receiving the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, Army of Occupation Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Following his military service, he returned to Aberdeen, SD, and began a career with National Tea and Piggly Wiggly Grocery Stores, managing a store in Aberdeen, Mitchell and Yankton.

Gene met Evelyn Emma Heinz in Aberdeen and were married January 2, 1951 at Sacred Heart Church, Aberdeen, SD. Since 1968, Yankton was their home. Following retirement, Gene and Evelyn owned and operated the Go-In Café for 10 years. As a business owner, Gene was active in the Yankton Chamber of Commerce. Being of strong faith, they were active members of Sacred Heart Church, where Gene served on the church council, Knights of Columbus and volunteered for many years at Sacred Heart Hospital and Avera Sister James distributing communion. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, gardening and his family. Together they raised seven children, Deborah Susan (Earl) Wright, Brodnax, VA, Michael Eugene (Judy) Bulian, Davenport, IA, Carmen Rose (Gary) Hansen, Rapid City, SD, Vicki Marie Munoz, Hot Springs, AR, James Edward (Karen) Bulian, Sioux Falls, SD, Kathryn Jo (Jeff) Healy, Weatherford TX, and Alan Francis (Vicki) Bulian, Yankton, SD.

In addition to his children, he is survived by fifteen grandchildren, Erika Atchinson, Tabitha Bryant, Sean Bulian, Jennie Anderson, Kari McCord, Anna Bulian, Warren Hansen, Christina Ward, Chris Bulian, Brady Bulian, Jamie Hegge, Matt Healy, Andrew Healy, Nick Bulian, Stephanie Brodeur; 29 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Viola Braun, Ella Heinz.

Those that have gone before him are his parents, siblings August Bulian, Gertrude Lee, Edward Bulian, Helen Sheldon, a sister at childbirth and Harrold Bulian.

Eugene Bulian will be remembered for his hard work, perseverance, and dedication to family.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

The family of Eugene Bulian request memorials be directed to Yankton Catholic Community Foundation, 509 Capitol, Yankton, SD for the Eugene and Evelyn Bulian Sacred Heart School Scholarship Fund.