Eugene H. Louis

Eugene “Gene” Henry Louis, 86, of 816 Minneapolis Avenue, Gladstone, MI passed away Friday, December 16, 2011 at home after a brief illness, with his family at his side. Gene was bornAugust 23, 1925 in Escanaba, MI, the son of the late Edward & Hildegarde
(Ottensman) Louis.

Gene was a proud father and devoted husband. He is survived by his wife of 61 years,
Laura (Brownell), and five children: John (Mary Zanoni) of Houghton, MI; Gary
(Sally Donahue) in Milan, MI; Wayne (Shelley Soderman) from Colorado Springs,
CO; Laurene (Keith Clark) of Gladstone, MI; and Darren (Kimberly Kurrie) who is
currently residing in London, England. Gene and Laura have seven grandchildren,
Angela (Scott Yorkston), Ryan, Christopher, Jessica, Michael, Mathew and
Benjamin and two great grandchildren, Liam and Ethan. Gene is also survived by
his brother, Don and his wife Dee of Nakomis, FL.

Gene’s early years were spent growing up in Escanaba, MI attending Webster Grade School, Escanaba Junior High School and Escanaba High School. The family later moved to Appleton, WI, where Gene attended Appleton High School for his sophomore year before moving in 1941 to
Manitowoc, WI, where Gene attended and later graduated from Lincoln High School
in 1943. Gene had lettered in football and track while also playing violin, viola and oboe in the school’s orchestra. Gene attended Emory and Henry College, Emory, VA, and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hills NC, as part of the war-time delayed enlistment program, with his commission into the U.S. Navy Officer Corp coming in September 1946. Some of Gene’s tours of duty during his 15 year career included Yokosuku Japan, Newport, R.I. where he first met and married his wife, Key West FL, Norfolk VA, San Diego CA, Boston MA, and the Great Lakes Training Center outside of Chicago, IL. His duties took him across the globe embarked aboard the USS Chase, USS Gosselin, USS Burdo, USS Burda, USS Strive, and the USS Wasp. Gene remained close to the USS Wasp “family”, attending any number of annual reunions over the
years as he remained very proud of his naval career long after being discharged in July 1958.

From his last duty station in Illinois, he moved his family to the Upper Peninsula.
He joined the Prudential Insurance Company and worked loyally for them as one of
their top insurance agents for almost 30 years
Gene’s personal passions included: being a member of the All Saints Parish in Gladstone MI serving as Lector and Eucharistic Minister for many years; hunting upland game birds with his sons and his many high-spirited Brittany Spaniels; travelling with his wife; sailing Little Bay de Noc; appreciating the company and playing skills of his many bridge club partners; being a charter member of the Delta Coin Club; and enjoying cross-word puzzles and watching his favorite Detroit Red Wings, Tigers and Green Bay Packers.

Visitation will be held at the Skradski Funeral Home, Gladstone from 6:00-8:00 PM, Tuesday, 20 Dec. Military rites conducted by the Gladstone American Legion Post #71 will follow at 8:00
PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00 am at the All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Ronald Timock officiating. Luncheon will follow in the All Saints Church Parish Hall. Burial will follow at the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.