Eugene G. (Geno) Woellert

EUGENE G. (GENO) WOELLERT

Cedar Rapids

Eugene G. (Geno) Woellert, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully at Living Center West on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, surrounded by his devoted wife of 63½ years, Darlene, and his four loving daughters.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha, with the Rev. Daniel Krueger officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Visitation also will be one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, following a luncheon at the church.

Gene was born to Fred and Martha (Moser) Woellert on Oct. 21, 1932, on the family farm in Manchester. He married Darlene Klahn on June 5, 1955, in Cedar Rapids. He and his wife were long-term members of Zion Lutheran Church, where Gene served in numerous capacities, including the 1960s rebuilding program.

Gene was a devoted employee for 43 years at the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. in Cedar Rapids, retiring in July 1995. In the early '60s while at Pepsi, Gene organized a fund to assist the less fortunate, where he and his co-workers would shop for groceries, clothes and toys, then deliver them to the families. He loved to see their eyes light up when the family received the many sacks of goodies.

Gene enjoyed fishing, watching TV Westerns and his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes. He held season football tickets for a number of years and enjoyed taking Darlene and his girls to the games. He also was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing the bounty with family, neighbors and friends.

Gene is survived by his wife; daughters Sue (Jim) Peterson of Marion, Deb (Dan) Himes of Cedar Rapids, Sandy Hopkins of Atkins and Rhonda (Joe) Prouty, also of Atkins; grandchildren, Tom (Heather) Peterson, Beth Peterson (fiance Colton Warner), Jeff and Bob (Lynn) Himes, KayCee Stickley and Allison Prouty; six great-grandchildren; sister, Berniece Wendt; brother, Maynard (Janet) Woellert; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold and Ronald; sisters, Wilma and infant Marian; son-in-law, John Hopkins; and grandson, Jeremiah Purdy.

The family would like to thank the staff at Living Center West for their compassion and great care. Gene quickly became a favorite and had the nurses and CNAs wrapped around his finger. The family also wishes to thank UnityPoint Hospice for their kindness, understanding and devotion to their profession. They are truly angels on Earth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous of Iowa, Zion Lutheran Church or the family.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.