Obituary for Eugene "Gene" Zeuske
M. Eugene “Gene” Zeuske, age 97 of Shawano, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at his home on the Wolf River Channel.
Gene was born on June 21, 1924 at the home farm on the shores of the Wolf River, Town of Mattson (Waupaca Co), a son of the late Max Paul and Ethel (Hanson) Zeuske. He received his love of hard work and the outdoors from his parents. Gene’s mom, Ethel, instilled in him temperance and the importance of public service and community involvement that he exercised into the last days of his life.
Gene attended Wolf River School and graduated from Clintonville High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served America during WW II. After the war, he was hired as the Farm Bureau rep. in Langlade Co. where he met the love of his life, Vi Ourada, in Antigo.
After marriage, Gene and Vi moved to Waupaca County for Farm Bureau for several years before moving to Shawano and starting an American Family Insurance Agency. Gene’s tireless work on behalf of his customers earned him great respect and numerous achievement awards.
Together, Gene and Vi shared 68 years of loving marriage until Vi passed away in 2018.
Their greatest joy was their three children: son- Todd (Terry) Zeuske, Verona and their family, Drew, Zachary (Terri) and Troy; daughter- Candee (Ray) Arndt, Brookfield and their family, Catie, Chris (Allie) Arndt and their daughter, Sadie; and daughter- Cathy Zeuske (John Gard) Suamico and their family, John (Sarah) Gard and Libby (Chris) Sobic and their daughters Madeleine and Lillian. Gene is survived by his sister, Joyce Geiger and many nieces and nephews.
Gene’s service to the Shawano area spanned decades of appointed leadership positions: Police/Fire Commission; Shawano Municipal Utilities; Badger Power Marketing Utilities (founding commissioner). Gene was active in many civic clubs, serving as President of the Shawano Jaycees and Lions. He personally worked to rebuild the Shawano Lake Gun Club and served as President.
Gene was presented with the Distinguished Service Award from the Shawano Area United Way. From its beginning, he was elected Vice-President and its first Campaign Chairman, followed by nearly a decade of his relentless effort to expand the program into the county. Gene’s conscientious service to the State of Wisconsin included election as the Shawano delegate to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for over 20 years and was appointed by 4 Wisconsin Governors to be the Shawano County representative to the East Regional Planning Commission.
For over a half-century years, Gene was a dedicated volunteer for local, state and national Republican candidates, earning awards for his hard work and efforts.
Yet, Gene was happiest planting trees on his farm or planning the next big project at his Gunn Lake cabin on Sunrise Point in Ontario, Canada. He found great joy in making over 200 trips to Canada with his wife, family and lifelong friends. Often his trips included more building supplies than fishing rods. Over the last six months, Gene worked from home watching the birds in his backyard, entertaining his many visitors and family and discussing current events. We are so thankful to his wonderful caregivers who ensured his health and happiness: Sue Olson, Annette Hammond, Emily Parsons, Cheryl Sampson and Amy Dickson.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Dennis, Duane and Don.
A memorial service for Gene will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Shawano. Pastor Debbie Pagels will officiate. Military rites to follow.
Visitation will take place at Mickelson Funeral Home in Shawano on Wednesday May 18, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday morning from 9:30 am until the time of service. Private family inurnment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Embarrass, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made to the American Legion Post #117 Shawano, Wisconsin.
“The Zeuske family would like to thank Dr. Douglas Mielke, Dr. Jill Wiley, Dr. Cindy Lasecki, and the Unity Hospice staff for the great care they gave to Gene.”
Gene was born on June 21, 1924 at the home farm on the shores of the Wolf River, Town of Mattson (Waupaca Co), a son of the late Max Paul and Ethel (Hanson) Zeuske. He received his love of hard work and the outdoors from his parents. Gene’s mom, Ethel, instilled in him temperance and the importance of public service and community involvement that he exercised into the last days of his life.
Gene attended Wolf River School and graduated from Clintonville High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served America during WW II. After the war, he was hired as the Farm Bureau rep. in Langlade Co. where he met the love of his life, Vi Ourada, in Antigo.
After marriage, Gene and Vi moved to Waupaca County for Farm Bureau for several years before moving to Shawano and starting an American Family Insurance Agency. Gene’s tireless work on behalf of his customers earned him great respect and numerous achievement awards.
Together, Gene and Vi shared 68 years of loving marriage until Vi passed away in 2018.
Their greatest joy was their three children: son- Todd (Terry) Zeuske, Verona and their family, Drew, Zachary (Terri) and Troy; daughter- Candee (Ray) Arndt, Brookfield and their family, Catie, Chris (Allie) Arndt and their daughter, Sadie; and daughter- Cathy Zeuske (John Gard) Suamico and their family, John (Sarah) Gard and Libby (Chris) Sobic and their daughters Madeleine and Lillian. Gene is survived by his sister, Joyce Geiger and many nieces and nephews.
Gene’s service to the Shawano area spanned decades of appointed leadership positions: Police/Fire Commission; Shawano Municipal Utilities; Badger Power Marketing Utilities (founding commissioner). Gene was active in many civic clubs, serving as President of the Shawano Jaycees and Lions. He personally worked to rebuild the Shawano Lake Gun Club and served as President.
Gene was presented with the Distinguished Service Award from the Shawano Area United Way. From its beginning, he was elected Vice-President and its first Campaign Chairman, followed by nearly a decade of his relentless effort to expand the program into the county. Gene’s conscientious service to the State of Wisconsin included election as the Shawano delegate to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for over 20 years and was appointed by 4 Wisconsin Governors to be the Shawano County representative to the East Regional Planning Commission.
For over a half-century years, Gene was a dedicated volunteer for local, state and national Republican candidates, earning awards for his hard work and efforts.
Yet, Gene was happiest planting trees on his farm or planning the next big project at his Gunn Lake cabin on Sunrise Point in Ontario, Canada. He found great joy in making over 200 trips to Canada with his wife, family and lifelong friends. Often his trips included more building supplies than fishing rods. Over the last six months, Gene worked from home watching the birds in his backyard, entertaining his many visitors and family and discussing current events. We are so thankful to his wonderful caregivers who ensured his health and happiness: Sue Olson, Annette Hammond, Emily Parsons, Cheryl Sampson and Amy Dickson.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Dennis, Duane and Don.
A memorial service for Gene will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Shawano. Pastor Debbie Pagels will officiate. Military rites to follow.
Visitation will take place at Mickelson Funeral Home in Shawano on Wednesday May 18, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday morning from 9:30 am until the time of service. Private family inurnment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Embarrass, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made to the American Legion Post #117 Shawano, Wisconsin.
“The Zeuske family would like to thank Dr. Douglas Mielke, Dr. Jill Wiley, Dr. Cindy Lasecki, and the Unity Hospice staff for the great care they gave to Gene.”