Eugene Tom "Gene" Deeg

Gene, age 93, passed away on December 7, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Hospital.  He was born on May 28, 1928 in Appleton WI, the son of Harry and Louise (Kobs) Deeg. Gene married Dororthy Otto on October 29, 1949, they celebrated 69 years of marriage together.  He worked at Herst Allen, Elmtree Bakery, Fuller Brush, and retired from Foreway Express after 20+ years of service on September 20, 1985.  He was a member of the Teamsters Union.  Gene had a green thumb and managed an entire plot of land next to his home as a garden throughout his life, enjoying crops of vegetables, flowers and fruit.  He shared his vegetables with the many great neighbors who helped him out and he enjoyed their company.  He owned and managed a 40-acre pecan farm in Georgia for a few years as well.  His biggest passion was playing cards, especially Sheepshead.  He played cards throughout his life with friends and family and in recent years with groups in the area, up to 5 days a week.  He was a self-proclaimed “wood-aholic”, gathering trees and pallets to heat his home with wood.  He would cut, chop, split and stack wood and continued this until his final days.  He was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities including counting money for the Sunday School program, attending school at Zion, and bowling in the church league.  Family vacations were a big part of Gene’s life, he especially enjoyed time in Florida both in the Keys and Sebring. He also loved to fish, especially ice fishing for perch.  The squirrels in Wisconsin will be happy he is no longer competing for the area’s hickory nut harvest.

Gene is survived by his children, Daniel (Jayne) Deeg (New London), Paula (John) Orzech (Viera, FL), and Penny (Cody Brooks) Amundson (Menasha); grandchildren Dan Deeg, Dana Deeg, Michael Southard, Sarah Breister, David Deeg, Dawn White, Matt Amundson; 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Ethel Morgan (Niagara Falls, NY); and special friend, Shirley Hulke; along with many other family members and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by both of his parents, Harry and Louise Deeg; his wife, Dorothy Deeg; his son, Douglas Deeg; his brother, Robert Deeg; and his father and mother-in-law, John and Ruth Otto.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, December 13, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church, 912 N. Oneida Street, Appleton with Pastor Catherine Burnette officiating.  Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 AM until the hour of service.  Entombment will be at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.

Donations can be made to either:  Larsen Winchester Lions Club, PO Box 92, Larsen WI 54947 or Zion Lutheran Church General Fund, 912 N. Oneida St, Appleton WI 54911.