Eugene Hagemann
- Published: June 18, 2009
Eugene “Gene” M. Hagemann passed away Saturday, June 13, surrounded by his family. He was 84. Gene was born in Caledonia on Aug. 8, 1924, the son of the late Casper and Stella (née: Block) Hagemann Sr. He moved to Racine at the age of 7.
Gene served his country with the U.S. Army Air Corps. While stationed in Saipan he flew 35 missions in a B29 bomber over Tokyo as a right gunner. He survived two crash landings. On July 3, 1949, he was united in marriage to the former Jean M. Fergus. Gene had been employed as a pattern maker by Massey Harris until he founded Nu Wood Cabinet in 1955. He retired in 1986. Gene was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church for over 78 years, a charter member of the Lathrop Ave. Business Assoc., a Boy Scout leader for St. Ed’s Troop 248 and was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 697. He enjoyed all kinds of woodworking, carving and deer hunting. Most of his work was generously given to charity for fundraisers and family and friends as gifts.
In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by their son John; son-in-law, John Graham; brothers, Cap Hagemann, Orville Hagemann and Richard Hagemann; sisters, Laurie (Ed) Jozwik and Ruth (James) Feest; brothers-in-law, William Fergus and Richard Fergus; and sister-in-law Lorraine (Charles) Carothers.
Surviving are his wife of nearly 60 years, Jean; their children and their spouses, Terry Graham of Yellow Springs, Ohio, Paul and Karen Hagemann of Hurley, Wisc., Phil and Ryen Hagemann of Racine, Donna and Bob Van Caster of Hustisford, Wisc. and Margo and Joe Wiesner of Franksville; grandchildren, Dhyana (Justin Crockett) Graham of Columbus, Ohio, Mahya Graham of Yellow Springs, Chandra and Doug Jones-Graham of Ft. Collins, Colo., Kayla Graham of Yellow Springs, Scott Hagemann of Madison, Wisc., Mark Hagemann of Hurley, Wisc., Robert Van Caster and Mary Van Caster of Hustisford, Wisc., Jasper Hagemann, Paige Hagemann, Trent Wiesner, Elise Wiesner and Amelia Wiesner, all of Racine; a great granddaughter to arrive sometime in October; sister, Dorothy Feest, of Racine, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Donna and Larry Pias, Diane and Pat Taggert, Pat Hagemann, Elaine Fergus and Dolores Fergus; special cousin, Gil Audrey Hagemann, of Franksville; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 19, at 10 a.m., in St. Edward Catholic Church in Caledonia. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday, from 5 until 7 p.m., and in the church on Friday, from 9 a.m. until the time of the mass. Burial, with full military honors, will be in St. Louis Cemetery, Caledonia. In lieu of flowers his family has suggested memorials to St. Edward Catholic Church or the favorite charity of the donor.
The family would like to send a special thanks to all of the health-care providers who touched Gene’s life with gentle care and kindness over the years.
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