Eugene “Gene” Joosten, 85, of Rudolph passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2011 from complications of Alzheimers Disease. A Funeral Service & Catholic Mass will be at 1:00pm Tuesday, January 3rd at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Rudolph. Visitation will be from 10:30am to 1:00pm at the Church.
Eugene “Gene” Joosten
Gene was born at home in Rudolph on October 25, 1926 to Martin and Anna (Stelzer) Joosten. He graduated from Rudolph High School, went to work at Consolidated Papers, Inc. until he was called to serve two years in the US Army stationed in the Philippine Islands. After his discharge from the military, Gene and his sister bought the Rudolph Grocery Store, which later became the Rudoph IGA. He remained owner of the store for 42 years, retiring in 1988.
An active community & church member, Gene served on the Rudolph Village Board for 34 years with 28 years as President, Wood County Board Member for 6 years, manager of parish cemeteries for 51 years, Charter Member of the Rudolph Volunteer Fire Dept, and life-time member of Elmer Blonien Post 485 American Legion. He was very proud of the work he did for incorporating the Village of Rudolph. Gene also served on the Board of Directors at Bull’s Eye Credit Union and Farmers & Merchants Bank in Rudolph.
Gene married Mary Ann Budzinski on October 8, 1949 at St. Philomena Church in Rudolph where they made their home for 62 years together. They had six children and 14 grandchildren: Susan (Wayne) Eistentraut and their children Gina (PJ) Loehrke and Tanner Eisentraut; William (Cynthia) Joosten and their children Laura (Tim) Rice and David Joosten; Julie DaWalt and her daughter Sidney DaWalt; Melani Sorenson and her son Jedd (Kelly) Sorenson; Todd (Toni) Joosten and their children Callie (Joe) Kramer, Caitlin, and Kelsey Joosten; Aaron Joosten and his children Alicia, Micah, Jenna, Jonah and Marcus. They also have four great granddaughters: Makenna and Breanna Rice, Olivia Loehrke, and Tessa Sorenson.
Eugene is also survived by his sister Dorothy Majinski of Colton, CA, brothers Melvin and Donald of Wisconsin Rapids, and Jesse (Marge) of Rudolph, and mother-in-law Madlin Budzinski of Wisconsin Rapids.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Ray and Warren (Ginny) Joosten and father-in-law Alex Budzinski.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the Park Place Adult Day Care Center (220 3rd Ave S, Wis Rapids, WI 54495) and the Alzheimer’s Association.
We would like to thank the staff of Edgewater Nursing Home for the care and support they gave us during Dad’s 24-hour stay. And, we can never express enough thanks and praise to the staff at Park Place Adult Day Care Center – our community is enriched by their services.
Higgins Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, is assisting the family.
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