Gene Raymond Neitge, 62, quietly went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 11, 2016. Gene was born on May 24, 1954 to Clifford Louis and Arlene Marie (Reinhart) Neitge in Shell Lake, WI. He grew up in Spooner, going to St. Frances de Sales Catholic School through 8th grade. He graduated from Spooner Mann High School in 1972. 

He accepted an invitation from Debbie Sommerfeld to a Sadie Hawkins Dance on February 5th, 1972 and both of their lives were forever changed. He was married to Debra Marie Sommerfeld, daughter of Albert and Hilda Sommerfeld, on June 8, 1974. He worked as a meat cutter and helped her get her RN degree, then she helped him get his Law Enforcement degree from CVTC in 1977-1978. 

Gene worked as a recruit officer for the Town of Fall Creek in the fall of 1978 before he was hired as a patrolman for the City of Chippewa Falls on February 6, 1979. He was employed there until he retired on December 30, 2009. During that time he also worked in the West Central Drug Task Force (WCDTF) intermittently from 1988-1997. He was the Supervisor for the WCDTF from 1997-2000. In 2004 he became a Sergeant for the Chippewa Falls Police Dept.

Gene lived, loved and laughed big. He loved his family. He treasured his wife, spent special time with his mother, and truly looked forward to time with his kids and grandkids. He was the center of many unique memories, like the picnic rock, going thrift saling with the grandkids and singing Happy Birthday in a way like nobody else could. He was always full of life, ready to do so many things--going deer hunting, fishing, and duck hunting, playing on the paddle board on the lake with the kids, as well as going to movies, theater and musical concerts, like Lori Line and Herman's Hermits. He played a big role in the garden, growing tomatoes that were over 6 feet tall and watering all the flowers. 

Gene had an awesome sense of humor, respect and willingness to help others. He balanced work and life like very few can do. 

Gene is survived by his wife, Deb (aka Mrs. Neitge), of 42 years; his mother (Arlene Neitge of Spooner); his three children all from Chippewa Falls, Elizabeth Marie Olson (Randy), Rachel Diane Geissler (Tom) and Matthew Clifford Gene Neitge; 7 grandchildren: Trey Neitge-Smoczyk, Talin Neitge, Derrick Roth, Ayva Olson, Nolan Geissler, Colin Geissler and Reese Geissler; one brother, Ron (Vicky) Neitge and one sister, Karen Neitge both from Spooner. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law and their children: David (Robin) Sommerfeld of Rice Lake, Dennis Sommerfeld of Spooner, Doug (Judy) Sommerfeld of Verona, WI, Diane (Terry) Miller of De Forest, WI, Dan (Lisa) Sommerfeld of Eau Claire, and Doris (Tim) Meyer of Cadott. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford, on June 4, 1987. 

There will be a visitation for the public at the Pederson-Volker Funeral Home on Friday, October 14 from 3-8 p.m. with a Law Enforcement Walk-Through starting at 4 p.m. There will also be visitation from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday. October 15th at Central Lutheran Church. Funeral services will be held at Central Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. followed by a lunch at the Fill-Inn with 'food of the gods'. Burial (Interment) services will be held on Monday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. at the Calvary Cemetery west of Spooner on Hwy 70. 

Memorials may be made to the Chippewa Falls Police Association and the West Central Drug Task Force, 210 Island Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, in lieu of flowers. He will be missed by many.

Last Update: Dec 16, 2018 5:58 pm CST