Eugene Owen DeYoung

DeYoung, Eugene O. “Gene” MADISON- Eugene O. “Gene” DeYoung, age 88, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was born on Oct. 11, 1925, in Delavan, the son of Owen and Anna (Fuder) DeYoung. Gene married Julia Ann “Jann” Mann on Jan. 27, 1951, in Pinckneyville, Ill. Gene, a lifelong resident of Wisconsin, grew up on the farm in Delavan and had an affection for agriculture, which led to him graduating from UW-Wisconsin in 1949, with a degree in Agronomy. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Following college, Gene worked for seed companies in Milwaukee and Gillett until 1960, when he moved his family to the Waterloo farm and began a career as an insurance agent. In the late 1960’s he branched out into his final career as a real estate broker and appraiser. Gene was a Madison resident for the last 45 years. He proudly worked the polls with his longtime companion Gladys for over 20 years. Gene had a strong work ethic in everything that he did. He was a generous man of integrity who helped many people. He enjoyed trains and worldwide travel with, Gladys Ziltener, -his longtime companion. Gene was an active member of the Knights of Columbus in Waterloo and Gillett, attaining the rank of 4th degree. He was an active member of St. Dennis, serving on both the building and festival committees, as well as being a Eucharistic minister at nursing home facilities. In his later years, he lectured (Old Testament readings) and was a Mass server at Funeral Masses at St. Dennis and was very delighted that he could do this. Gene was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was everything to him. He is survived by Julia DeYoung (former wife) and their children, Yvonne Marie DeYoung, Dianne (Larry) Gaertner, Daniel (Georgette) DeYoung, Richard (Barbara) DeYoung, Lawrence DeYoung, James (Joanne) DeYoung, Dave (Gail) DeYoung, Thomas DeYoung and Joseph (Juli) DeYoung; 11 granddaughters and a grandson; four great-granddaughters. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Dorothy Louise DeYoung; and dear companion, Gladys. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. Burial will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Janesville. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, and also at the church from 9 a.m. until time of the Mass on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Dennis SHARE (Serving Helps Another and Reaps Enrichment.) A special thank you to St. Mary’s Care Center, Emeritus at Legacy Gardens, and Meriter Tower 7 and 8 ICU staff for their kind and compassionate care of Gene. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420