Onalaska, WI: Eugene C. “Gene” Falkenberg, 84, died on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at his home. He was born in rural Chippewa County, WI on June 2, 1935 to Carl and Rose (Jiskra) Falkenberg. He graduated from Cornell High School in 1953. Gene was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith as a young man. On June 30, 1956, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Bunning at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Jim Falls, WI. He farmed for several years and then worked for 13 years at the local paper mill in Cornell, WI. He then moved to Onalaska and worked the next 25 years selling insurance for AAL. Gene had a deep love for his family and church family. He was often helping his siblings, children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors with chores or other projects. Following his retirement, he worked at various jobs until macular degeneration forced him to stop working. As his eyesight grew worse Gene began writing poetry and stories. He wrote under the pen name of “Grumpy Grandpa”. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities and celebrations. He was an active member and supporter of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Onalaska as well as Luther High School. In his younger years Gene enjoyed going to area auctions and he had a love of old cars and John Deere farm machinery. Gene was an avid fan of the LaCrosse Loggers, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers (most of the time). Every summer, Gene looked forward to his trips to the Lions Club Camp for the visually impaired.

Gene is survived by his wife Betty of Onalaska; and their 4 children Diane (Rev. Ted) Gullixson of Mankato, MN, Donald Falkenberg of Milwaukee, WI, Steven Falkenberg of West Salem, WI and Scott (Lindsay)
Falkenberg of Onalaska, WI. Six grandchildren: Mark and Paul Gullixson of Mankato, MN, Carissa, Sidney, Levi and Cailyn Falkenberg of Onalaska, WI. One great-grandson John Webber of West Jordan, UT. He is also survived by 13 brothers and sisters Muriel Rose of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Evelyn (Howard) McAvoy of Pine City, MN, Ernest Falkenberg of Independence, WI, Carl (Judy) Falkenberg of Cornell, WI, Beverly (Dick) Paulsen of Eleva, WI, Rodger (Donna) Falkenberg of Bloomer, WI, Margaret Fincham of Bradenton, FL, Mary Ann (Larry) Lemmo of Meridian, ID, Donna (Gary) Loring of Holcombe, WI, Janise (Kevin) Westerman of Onalaska, WI, William (Janice) Falkenberg of Menomonee Falls, WI, Leslie Falkenberg of FL, and Dawn (Greg) Gardner of Chanhassen, MN. Also survived by an Aunt Ruth Jiskra of Holcombe, WI along with cousins and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by a toddler son David Eugene Falkenberg, a granddaughter Ruth Marie Wilde Webber and two brothers Joseph and LaVern Falkenberg.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, January 30th, 2020 at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Onalaska. The Rev. Olson will officiate. Burial will be in the Cornell Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call at the Fossum Funeral and Cremation Service in Onalaska on Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and again at the church on Thursday from 12:00 pm until the time of the service.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Luther High School Building Fund.