Vislisel, Eugene J.

Eugene J. Vislisel, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church by Father Christopher Podhajsky. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery. Papich-Kuba Funeral Service is assisting his family.

Eugene is survived by a special aunt, Frances Sonka of Marion; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Vislisel of Highland Park, Ill.; four nephews and nieces, Steven Vislisel of Tiberon, Calif., Diane Vislisel of Encinitas, Calif., Karen (Glenn) Frantz of Elgin, Ill., and Tom (Rachel) Vislisel of East Dundee, Ill.; and eight great-nieces and nephews, Michaela, Allie and Joshua Frantz and John, Caleb, Micah, Sarah and Anna Vislisel.

He is also survived by numerous cousins.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bessie (Sonka) Vislisel; and his brother, Lester.

Eugene was born Sept. 25, 1931, in rural Cedar Rapids and was baptized and received his first communion at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He was a 1950 graduate of Wilson High School and a 1954 graduate of the University of Iowa receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce. Gene was an Army veteran of the Korean War.

Eugene designed and helped build the home he and his parents lived in on Second Street SW, near Wilson School. He cared for his father as he grew older and also maintained their large lawn and enjoyed landscaping it with trees and other plantings. A horticulturist with a big heart, Gene like to share his plants with his family and friends.

He was especially fond of his Pekingese dogs, Pierre I and later Pierre II.

Contributions in Eugene's memory may be given to the Cedar Rapids Public Library.

Published in The Gazette Feb. 28, 2012.