Gene E. Reitz

GENE E. REITZ



Gene E. Reitz, 74, of Eldorado, died September 16, 2020, at Aurora Medical Center, Oshkosh, WI due to complications while fighting COVID-19. He was born January 16, 1946, the son of Earl and Dorothy (Brown) Reitz in Fond du Lac. Gene served in the U.S. Army from 1963 – 1969. Gene served during the 2nd Korean War, border patrol in Germany, and Vietnam War where he received 2 Purple Hearts, two Army Commendation Award, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with a V for Valor Medal. On July 9, 1966, he married the love of his life, Charlene (Abbs), and they have been faithfully together for the last 54 years. Gene worked for the Fond du Lac Highway Department retiring in 2004. Gene was a proud member of the VFW of Rosendale Post #10195.



Gene was a loving and devoted husband to Charlene. They had many adventures and especially loved their time spent at Flanagan's Campground. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish with his son and grandchildren. Gene could be found most nights in the stands or on the sidelines of his grandkids sporting events. His most prized accomplishment was his family. Gene was a social butterfly and made everyone who met him feel important. He was the life of the party and a dancing machine.



He is survived by his loving wife, Charlene; five children, Shelly (Frank) Lovejoy, Tina (Martin) Rich, Becky (Terry) Wojahn, Martin (Nikki) Reitz, Kristy (Craig) Bohn, and “bonus son”,Tony (Diana) Owens; grandchildren: Kristin Lohry (Jason) Lohry, Kaitlin (Nick) Engle, Alyssa (Travis) Anderson, Brittani (Cody) Martin, Tyler (Megan) Wojahn, Alexis (Christopher) Starr, Nichole(Anthony) Friese, Matthew Rich, Makayla (Brady) McGuire, Cole (Misty) Lovejoy, Scot Wojahn, Riley Bohn, Austyn Lovejoy, Mason Bohn, Gracelyn Lovejoy, Emma Bohn, Jed Lovejoy, Christian Lovejoy, Shaliyah Lovejoy, Levi Reitz, Isaac Reitz, Christopher Morinville, Maleea Schrank, Mylee Schrank; eleven great-grandchildren; Adalyn Martin, Evelyn Starr, Nora Engle, Rayah Martin, Ailish Lohry, Aliyah Friese, Jack Engle, Wesley Starr, Kardyn McGuire, Asher Friese, Shyla Lohry, and baby boy Anderson. Mother-in-law, Florence Abbs; eight siblings, Joyce Pitler, Shirley (Keith) Krueger, Roger (Carol) Reitz, Nancy (Mark) Fields, Bonnie (Jeff) Hodgden, William (Linda) Reitz, Terry Reitz, and Linda (Lyndon) Taylor; Brothers-in-law: James (Roxanne) Abbs, Ward (Joann) Abbs, and Brion Abbs; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives, including his “brother” friend, Jerry King.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Dorothy; father-in-law, Howard Abbs; two sisters, Mary Charneski and Sandra Reitz; brother-in-law, Michael Pitler, and best buddy David O’Brien.



Due to Covid-19, a private family memorial service will take place at Peace Lutheran Church, Rosendale, WI. Everyone is welcome to join the family virtually on YouTube on Monday, September 21, 2020 at 12:30 PM by searching #reitzstrong at youtube.com. Interment will follow at Rosendale Cemetery with Military Honors.



In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to the family for a memory garden to be created in Gene’s name.



Guestbook and tribute wall may be found by visiting ueckerwitt.com.