Stephen Eugene Carver was born in Valentine NE on November 22,1932, to Frank Alonzo Carver and Greeta Cyrena Gould Carver, joining an older sister and brother. He was a Cowboy from the very beginning. He often took off on his pony to go visit Crookston and the neighbors. He attended rural school on the hill north of the ranch, then when it was closed he went to Crookston. He graduated from Valentine High School. Gene was an athlete, participating in football and basketball. In his senior year, he was crowned "King of Hearts" at Valentine's Day Coronation. He attended college, then enlisted in the U.S. Army. His basic training was at Fort Sill, OK. Gene was with the 510th Field Artillery and was on a ship heading to Korea, when the Korean War ceasefire was announced and his unit was diverted to Salzburg, Austria. He was on Active Duty from 1953-1955, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Gene was on reserve status until March 3, 1961, when he was Honorably Discharged.
Gene ranched with his father raising cattle. In the early years, they made trail drives from the home place to the Parmelee ranch. They camped out at night on the trail. In later years, the cattle were hauled by truck. Together, Gene and his dad put together quite a herd of Registered Quarter Horses. The 4 open reverse J became very well known. People came from all over the United States to buy Carver Quarter Horses. Gene trained and rode roping horses, cow-cutting horses, and also jockeyed race horses at the track. He showed "At Halter" and several became AQHA Champions. He judged at Quarter Horse Shows across the country. He was quite "a Hand" as they say in the ranch world.
Gene met his future wife (Joan Murriel Hoffman) when she came home to take care of her father (she is an R.N.). They were married on November 26, 1956. Immediately they left for Sonora TX, where Gene was training cow-cutting and roping horses. Before the wedding, Gene had shipped a truckload of horses there. Gene hauled two stallions in a trailer, and his new bride followed in their car. Joan helped him as his "Turnback man" in cow cutting on her horse, and also pushed the calves out of the chute for him to rope. After helping him, she worked at Sonora Hospital. They had a wonderful winter--returning back to the ranch in April 1957. They had a new home built on the ranch. They were blessed with four children, Tara Lynn, Terri Lou, Stephen Scot and Laurie Marie. The children worked side-by-side with their dad on the ranch.
Gene joined a Town Basketball team formed with Don Peterson, Harry Jackson, Bill Luther, Buster Hand, Dean Welker, Carroll Peterson, and Dick Hand. They were quite the winning team.
Gene was blessed to have two of the Best Friends in the area. They worked together, traded equipment, and traveled to sale barns to buy cattle together. When Gene was ill in the 80s, they came in and did his haying. These two "Brothers to Gene" were Dean and Robert Epke. He has missed these wonderful friends, who predeceased him.
Gene took pride in his hard-working children, and their many accomplishments. Gene took special delight and joy in his nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Our family was also blessed with Eric marrying Johanna, Stephanie marrying Andrew, and Drew marrying Jillian.
The years have taken a toll on this good, hard working man. Upon suffering his stroke in 2007, his greatest worry was how he was going to ride again. From his many health set-backs, he never gave up trying to get better. He always did as much as he could—he never retired. Gene passed on November 19, 2016, a few minutes before midnight, with Joan as ever, lovingly, by his side. Gene and Joan would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 26, 2016.
Gene is survived by his wife, Joan, his children, Tara Bryant (Kerry), Terri Carver (Aaron Springer), Steve Carver (Esther), and Laurie Carver; his grandchildren, Eric Carver (Johanna) and their sons, Lucas and Matias, Hanna Carver, Sarah Carver, Stephannie Bryant-Erdmann (Andrew Erdmann), Samantha Bryant, Renee Carver, Dustin Bryant, Ethan Springer, and Drew Bryant (Jillian) and their son Cayden; a brother, Frank Carver Jr., and a brother-in-law, James Hoffman. Gene is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Maureen Hoffman, his son-in-law, Kerry Bryant, and his friends, Dean and Robert Epke.

Funeral service for Gene Carver age 83 of Crookston will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Valentine. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Visitation will be on Friday, Nov. 25 at 3:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine.