Eugene H. King

Eugene King, age 81, of Kaukauna, passed away at home surrounded by his family, on Friday, October 14, 2011 after a short battle with cancer. He was born on March 12, 1930 to the late Ed and Madge King. Gene was married to Elaine Schaefer sixty years on June 26, 2011.

Gene served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on December 1, 1953. He was a member of St. Katharine Drexel – St. Mary Church where he had been an usher, communion distributor and served on many committees for the Holy Name Society. Gene was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Kaukauna VFW Electric City Post 3319 and Wrightstown Urban Klister American Legion Post 436. Gene and Elaine owned and operated King's Variety Store in Kaukauna and Little Chute for 35 years. He was proud to have his family involved at their store to teach the values of hard work. During this time in business he was a very active member of the Kaukauna Business Associations and the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce.

His passion was golfing and he enjoyed playing cribbage or cards with his buddies. Gene was a great Packer fan and attended all their home games for many years. He enjoyed working in his yard and sitting outside visiting with his neighbors and became known as “Grandpa Gene” to all the kids. Gene's genuine love of people brought him many treasured friendships throughout his life. His favorite pastime was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gene will be missed by his wife, Elaine King; daughters: Nancy (Dave) Vanderloop; Pat (Steve) Dey and Peggy Edmonds; son: Dan (Lisa) King; grandchildren: Barry (Brenna) Vanderloop and Scott (Morgan) Vanderloop; Greg (Renae) Dey; Corey King and Kristy King, Kelly (Quentin) Hungerford, Andy Dercks and Sam Dercks; great grandchildren: Paige Dey, Riley and Logan Hungerford, Avalee Stoffel, Hailey Fink and Dominic King; sister: Lenore Ball; sisters-in-law: Ann King and Dot (Gordy) Weyers and brother-in-law: Eugene (Jane) Schaefer. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Don Edmonds; brother, Leo King; sisters: Dorothy (Les Luedtke) (Ed) Spierings, Laverne (Norbert) Jansen and Pearl (Wins) Saiberlich; parents-in-law, Bill and Nellie Schaefer.

The funeral liturgy for Gene will be held at 5:00 pm on Monday, October 17, 2011 at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH – ST. MARY CHURCH, 119 W. Seventh Street, Kaukauna. Fr. Jerry Pastors will be officiating. Interment will take place at the parish cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church from 2:00 pm until the time of mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name.

Thank you to the wonderful CNA's and nurses from ThedaCare at Home, ThedaCare Hospice and Appleton Medical Center.

Fargo Funeral Home
400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Kaukauna, WI 54130
(920)766-6200