Eugene John Risse

Eugene "Gene" John Risse, age 81, of Shell Rock, died Sunday, February 15, 2009 of lung cancer at his home. Gene was born on September 1, 1927 in Dunkerton, Iowa the son of Frank and Catherine (Meier) Risse. Gene attended country school in rural Dunkerton until his father passed away and he had to help on the family farm. He also worked for several farmers in the Dunkerton area before entering the United States Navy in 1945. Gene served in the South Pacific and was present at the first water tests of the Atomic Bomb. In 1947 Gene was discharged from the Navy and returned to Iowa where he worked for a silo company before being hired at John Deere that same year. On June 9, 1956 Gene was united in marriage to Janice Peters at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. In 1953 he started working at Rath Meat Packing in Waterloo until retiring in 1985. After retirement Gene kept himself busy by milking cows on his farm south of Shell Rock and helping area farmer's plant and harvest. Gene was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Shell Rock. His enjoyments included helping others in any way, fishing, bird watching, hunting, playing cards (500 and pinochle), and most of all spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Gene's memory is honored by his wife, Janice of Shell Rock, a son, Dan (Elaine) Risse of Allison, three daughters, Peg (Gary) Thurm of Smithton, MO, Dixie (Dennis) Kehoe of Waterloo, and Deb (Kerry) Nicolaus of Porterfield, WI, fifteen grandchildren, Chris and Todd Thurm, Ryan and Stacey Hoodjer, April, Shaun (Sarah), Adam, Matt, Kala, Cory, and Keith Risse, and Brittany, Austin, Bryant, and Drew Nicolaus, six great grandchildren, Lakin Risse, Ashton and Ava Hoodjer, Adam and Collin Corker, and Mason Thurm, a daughter-in-law, Sandra Wright, a brother, Kenneth Risse of Dunkerton, a sister, Fidellis Reuter of Jesup, and two sister-in-laws, Mary Risse of Dunkerton and Harriet Risse of Readlyn. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, a son Larry Risse, and two brothers, Gerald and Wilbur Risse. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 21 at Faith Lutheran Church in Shell Rock with Pastor Paul Schaedig officiating. Burial will follow lunch at the St. Matthew Cemetery in Readlyn. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 20 at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly where family will greet friends from 4 to 8 P.M. Memorials may be directed to the family and online condolences may be made at ww.kaisercorson.com.