Eugene P. 'Gene' Wallenius

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Eugene P. "Gene" Wallenius, 88, of Ironwood, died Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, at home, surrounded by his loving family, following an extended illness..

He was born March 21, 1926, in Ironwood, son of the late Jacob and Hilda (Pesola) Wallenius, attended K.P. Silberg Grade School in Erwin Township, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1943. He was employed at the Pisani Beer Distributing Co. for many years, then at White Pine Copper Co. for 20 years, retiring as a diesel mechanic in 1988.

Gene was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. He played softball on the Gogebic Range in his 20's and 30's, and was a diehard Green Bay Packers and Detroit Tigers fan. He was a quiet man who dearly loved his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On Jan. 12, 1946, he was married to the former Antoinette Federico at the St. Ambrose Church rectory by the late Msgr. J.B. Moriarity. Antoinette survives.

Also surviving are a son, Michael (Megon), Mankato, Minn .; two daughters, Connie Wallenius, Ironwood, and Christine "Chrick" (Dave) Hagelin, Lake Gogebic; four grandchildren, Todd Hagelin, Minneapolis, Tim Hagelin, Ironwood, Jacob Wallenius, Minneapolis, and Lee (Nick) Lindberg, Mankato; four great-grandchildren, Marley, Micah, Joshua and Zachary; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and June Federico, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Gene was preceded in death by two brothers, Arvo and twin brother Harold; and two sisters, Ruth Krajewski and Gertrude Kamke.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 108 S. Marquette St., Ironwood, MI 49938.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.