Nov. 2, 2017 – Kewaskum, WI – Eugene R. Backhaus age 83 of Kewaskum died Wednesday, November 01, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the Town of Polk. He was born March 8, 1934 on the family farm in Dundee to Frank and Leona (nee Roehl) Backhaus. Gene served in the United States Army for 2 years, spending 18 months stationed in Germany.
On September 19, 1959 he was united in marriage to Marilyn Giese at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Campbellsport.
Gene farmed his entire life. In addition to working in the fields he raised beef cows and in 1981 he and his son Dennis started dairy farming. While farming he also worked at Regal Ware for 47 ½ years, retiring in the spring of 1998. For the past 20 years he would often be seen driving his red Kawasaki Mule around the farm.
He was Marilyn’s riding partner and best friend. While they were out they enjoyed going to lunch. While on their outings he found great enjoyment in people watching. They also enjoyed going up north, especially visiting Door County.
Eugene is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn, 2 children: Dennis (Debra) Backhaus of Kewaskum and Marjean (Andrew) Griggs of Watertown and his pride and joy, his 5 grandchildren whom often called him “Dude”, Jesse (special friend Carissa) Backhaus, Erik (special friend Jackie) Griggs, Abby Backhaus, Liza Griggs and Garrett (special friend Sami) Backhaus. He is further survived by his brother Donny (Bev) Backhaus of Campbellsport, 2 sisters-in-law: Evelyn Reichert of New Fane and Irene Giese of Cleveland, WI and nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Leona Backhaus and his sister Janice (Earl) Morenzien.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewaskum. Burial will take place in Lutheran Memorial Park in Kewaskum. The family will greet visitors on Sunday, at the church only from 1:00 p.m. until 2:45 P.M. Memorials to St. Lucas Lutheran Church are appreciated.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family.