W. Gene Giese

Giese, W. Gene DATELINE- W. Gene Giese, age 88, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2015, due to complications from congestive heart failure. He was born on July 9, 1926, to Alvin (Abby) and Esther Giese of Fort Atkinson. Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the spring of 1944. He was allowed to finish high school, and graduated in June and traveled to Great Lakes Naval Training Base assigned to a LION unit (Landing Invasion Occupational Navy). Gene trained at bases in California in combat exercises. He left the states in early 1945 and landed in Okinawa in May, where he worked on a supply base when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. He served from 1944 to 1946. During this time he experienced two typhoons, one at 120 miles per hour and another at 160 miles per hour. In both cases the base needed to be rebuilt. Gene recalled listening to the World Series on the Armed Forces Radio sitting on a hillside, hearing his Cubs being beaten by the Detroit Tigers. When the war ended he was transferred to a CBMU Dredging unit. From there he went to Guam, to Tinian, and was discharged at the Great Lakes Naval base in May of 1946. After returning home from World War II, Gene took an apprenticeship under the G.I. bill in plastering, bricklaying, and stone masonry. He also played semi-professional football for the Delavan Red Devils. This began his pursuit of his American Dream. Gene found the love of his life, Lois Emerson, and they married in July 1949, pursuing this dream together. Their marriage produced two boys and two girls. Gene joined the Bricklayers Union Local No. 21 of Watertown in 1951 and then transferred to Local No. 13 in Madison. From 1954–1970 Gene was a joint owner of Modular Masonry and after that he worked many years for Monona Masonry. One of his favorite mantras was, "A job not done right is a job not done at all." Gene was a proud craftsman. The most challenging job he worked on was the Garner Park Shelter House. After completion, pictures of it were featured in the National Bricklayers magazine and also appeared in the Fond du Lac Stone advertisements. The architect was very happy. Gene worked in the trade for 46 years before retiring and received his 50-year Gold Card Membership in the International Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union in 2001. In 1960, Gene built his family's house on a former golf course, one of only two homes in the neighborhood, each on its own street. The neighborhood became known as the Burr Oaks neighborhood. Gene believed strongly in diversity and served on numerous committees trying to create opportunities for Madison's south side. Both Gene and Lois retired in 1992, pursuing various hobbies that included gardening and bird watching. They were also UW-Men's Hockey season ticket holders for both Friday and Saturday nights from 1969 until the hockey program moved to the Kohl Center in 1998. In addition, Gene was a lifelong member of VFW Post No. 7591. Gene's house was always the hub of activities for family and friends. For decades, he cooked hamburgers on Saturday night; all you had to do to get one was to show up. All were welcome, and if on holidays you found yourself without a place to go, you could go to Gene's. He had a kind and generous heart. The house was always filled with family, friends, good fellowship, and tons of laughter. If you were to ask Gene what he would you do differently if he could do it all again? He would tell you, "I would do it the same way." That is a testament to a life well lived. How could it be otherwise? "A job not done right is a job not done at all!" Gene is survived by his sons, Scott (Bev Kemp) of Middleton and Randy of Madison; and daughter Julie (John) Anderson of Monona. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois; and daughter Susan. A private inurnment will be held at Highland Memory Gardens in Cottage Grove. A special thank you to the staff of St. Mary's Hospital, Attic Angels, and Agrace HospiceCare for their kindness and compassion in caring for Gene. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or the Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420