Gene Peter Hanks, age 80, of Tower, died Friday, August 7, 2026 at Essentia, St. Mary’s in Duluth. He was born on Aug. 14, 1945 in Cass Lake, the son of Frederick and Margaret Hanks. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, and was a Security Guard at Fortune Bay. He enjoyed watching sports, gambling, and going on Elder trips.

Gene is survived by his Daughter: Naomi Hanks of Tower; Grandson: Brandon Hanks of Tower; Granddaughter: Sophia Hanks of Tower; Great-grandchildren: Ava and Everly Hanks of St. Cloud; and Siblings: Charles Hanks of the Twin Cities; Lawrence Hanks of Cass Lake, and Calvin Day of Onigum, MN.

The wake will begin at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 at the Nett Lake Tribal Government Center. Visitation will continue until the 10:00 a.m. service of Tribal Rites on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 at the Government Center. Vern Adams will be the Spiritual Advisor, with Clint Miller as the assistant. Interment will be at the New Nett Lake Cemetery

Family Services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To leave a remembrance online, see www.baumanfuneralhome.com.