Gene Austin Elliott, 87, of Hutchinson, KS, went to be with the Lord on June 22, 2025. He was born on September 27, 1937, in Eureka, KS, to Archie and Treva (Rayburn) Elliott.
Gene graduated from McPherson High School in 1955 and earned a degree in Business from McPherson College in 1959. On March 30, 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Rhonda Rossow. They shared 54 beautiful years of marriage before her passing in 2012.
In 1967, Gene and Rhonda moved to Hutchinson, where they purchased an insurance agency that would later become Elliott Insurance Management Inc. Gene owned and operated the agency until his retirement in 2006. He loved his work and took pride in servicing his clients and community. Gene served as president of the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents and was the State National Director for Kansas, representing the industry at the national level. His daughter, Jodee, joined the agency in 1987, and the two worked side by side for nearly two decades.
Gene embodied the American Dream-through hard work, perseverance and faith, he built a business and provided for his family.
Gene proudly served his country in the Reserve Unit of the National Guard and was a lifelong patriot. He was also a member of Inspire Church, where he served on the board and loved his faith community.
As a longtime Scoutmaster of Troop One, Gene guided many young men to achieve their Eagle Scout rank - including his two sons, Tim and Kip.
A lifelong athlete, Gene excelled in football, basketball, American Legion baseball, and pole vaulting during his school years at McPherson High and McPherson College. His love for sports continued throughout his life. Gene rarely missed a Hutchinson High or Hutchinson Community College game. After college, he played slow-pitch softball until he was 82 years of age proudly sponsoring the Elliott Insurance team for many years. Gene also played competitively in Kansas City and after retirement, in Arizona. He loved coaching his children and cheering on his grandchildren from the sidelines.
For over 40 years, Gene could be found at the Village Inn most mornings around 8 a.m., sharing coffee, laughter and “Monday morning quarterbacking” with his longtime buddies. He cherished these times and these men.
Gene was preceded in death by: his beloved wife, Rhonda; son, Tim; parents; and brother, Carl.
He is survived by: his loving companion, Margie Lundmark; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Elliott of Overland Park; son, Kip Elliott of Nashville, TN; daughter and son-in-law, Jodee and Kevin Bowen of Hutchinson. Gene leaves behind 8 grandchildren: Alicia Billings (Toby), Jordan Billings (Heather), Megan Machen (Ben), Michael Elliott, Elli Houston (Ryan), Trace Bowen (Cori), Luke Elliott (Gaby) and Will Elliott (Ella). He was also blessed with 4 great-grandchildren: Elliott, Audrey, Olive, and Hudson.
Gene and Rhonda’s enduring faith was the foundation of their family. They passed on the greatest gift of all to their children and grandchildren-an abiding love and trust in the Lord. In a letter Gene wrote Jodee a few years ago, he ended with a line that perfectly captures his spirit: “With God, life is a blast. Just think what a blast it will be when we all meet in Heaven!”
A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2025, at Inspire Church, 4290 N. Monroe, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by Kansas Army National Guard. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. There will be a lunch following the Celebration.
The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking here.
A graveside service will take place at 2:30 p.m. at McPherson City Cemetery in McPherson, KS.
Friends may sign his memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until the service at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Inspire Church or Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association (for athletics), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.