Eugene Wayne George, age 96, was born on November 16, 1927, to John and Selma (Sponheim) George, at home at the family farm outside of Birchwood, WI and died on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

He graduated from Birchwood High School in 1945 and enlisted in the US Navy, serving at the end of World War II until his honorable discharge. Eugene married Georgene Kemp on June 12, 1948 in Birchwood. After marrying, they moved to Fort Atkinson, WI, where he worked on the Hoard’s Dairyman Farm until they purchased their first farm in 1951, in Madge Township. In 1962, they purchased a farm in the Mikana area, where they farmed until retirement. After retirement, they continued to live in the Mikana area until moving to Rice Lake in 2023. Eugene will be remembered as a loving husband and father. He was always a willing volunteer, ready to lend a helping hand to family and friends. He was a property assessor for multiple townships for 35 years. He and Georgene were long time members of the Rice Lake Twirlers square dance club and he was an officer of the Birchwood Historical Society for several years. In May 2022, he was selected for a Veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington DC. In his retirement he loved doing woodworking in his shop and built many projects for family and friends. He enjoyed traveling in his retirement years, taking a trip to Norway, and going south in the winter.

He is survived by six children, Beverly (Lawrence) George, Linda Borofka, Roberta (Donald) Laine, Mary (James) Rampe, Kenneth (Becki) George, Barbara (Jeffrey) Sheldon; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren, with the eleventh due in November, 2024; brother, John (Joan) George; brothers-in-law, Russell Kemp, Richard (Lynn) Kemp; sisters-in-law, Juanita(Grady) White, Catherine Benoy; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Georgene, parents, brother, Arthur George, brothers-in-law, William Kemp and Raphael Kemp, and son-in-law, Brian Borofka.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Birchwood, WI. Father Joseph Kumar officiating, with interment at 2:00 PM at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in Spooner with military rights accorded. Visitation will be 9:30-11:00 AM, prior to the service at the church. Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake is assisting and serving the family with arrangements.

Last Update: Oct 20, 2024 2:15 pm CDT