Obit: Gumz, Eugene Lester #2 (1931 - 2011)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Blasel, Gebert, Gumz, Hackel, Kaeser, Kreklau, Lambrecht, Lilly, Rassmusen, Van Heel

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wisconsin) Wednesday, July 6, 2011, page 15

Gumz, Eugene Lester (July 15, 1931 - June 30, 2011)

Eugene Lester Gumz, age 79, of Colby, died at St. Joseph's Hospital, in Marshfield, on Thursday, June 30, 2011.

Eugene Lester Gumz was born on July 15, 1931, in Dorchester, the son of William and Selma (Blasel) Gumz.

He was raised on the family farm and received his education in the Dorchester area. Eugene was united in marriage to Barbara Rassmusen on April 5, 1952. He farmed with his father until the mid-1950's and then purchased a farm in the Milan area. In 1960, they bought a farm in the Town of Hull, 5 miles east of Colby. While farming, Eugene also worked as a cheesemaker at the Kraft Cheese Factory, in Milan, for 24 years and was a licensed electrician, operating his own electrical business until the time of his death.

He was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church, the Colby Lion's Club, and served as the Town of Hull chairman for 25 years. Eugene had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends, farming, driving tractor, electrical work, fishing, deer hunting, making sausage, playing cards and traveling.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Barbara, of Abbotsford; his children: Carl "Charlie" (Darlene) Gumz of Trinidad, Colo., Loretta (Gary) Van Heel of Albany, Minn., Judy (Dean) Kaeser of Colby; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; two sisters, Esther Kreklau of Stetsonville, Betty (Jerry) Gebert of Holcombe; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sally Gumz in 1963; a son, Dale Gumz in 1985; a step-son, James Gumz in 1982; and 3 brothers, Alfred, William and Leonard Gumz.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at Christ Lutheran Church, in Abbotsford, with Rev. Jeffrey Lambrecht officiating. Burial will be take place in the Dorchester Memorial Cemetery North. Pallbearers will be Bruce Gumz, Tony Gebert, Cheston Lilly, Ryan Hackel, Cody Kaeser and Russell Hackel. Visitation will be held at the church, on Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.