Gene Llanas

Gene Llanas

1932 - 2014

Gene Llanas, 81, of Kenosha passed away on Friday, May 2, 2014, at St. Catherines Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on July 20, 1932, in Lockhart, Texas, a son of the late Marcos and Felicitas (Rodriguez) Llanas.

Gene moved to Kenosha at the age of 13. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army serving in the Korean Conflict as Private First Class in the Intelligence Division, where he earned the National Defense Service Medal. After his tour of duty, Gene attended the University of Wisconsin Whitewater earning his Bachelors degree and later his Master of Science Degree in Teaching.

On Aug. 18, 1962, he married Joyce Dalziel in Kenosha at Mount Carmel Church.

Gene was employed as a teacher at Lincoln Jr. High for 26 years, and also as a Waukegan Public School Administrator, where he developed an Honors Program for Latino Students. He later worked as coordinator of Waukegans Homeless Children and Youth Program. Gene served as a Kenosha Alderman from 1968 to 1970.

He was an avid Chicago Cubs Fan and was devoted to spending time with his wife and family. A favorite activity was travelling, which they did many summers throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

Surviving Gene is Joyce, his loving wife of 51 years; his children, Lisa (Robert) Hagberg, Gina (Peter Wydra) Llanas, Deana (Kevin) Sampica, Monica (Antonio Serrano Palles) Llanas and Geno Llanas; six grandchildren, Catalina, Ruben, Olivia, Matthew, Jackson and Adelina. He is further survived by his brother, Inez Llanas of Kenosha, and sisters, Vickie Llanas of Madison and Elisa Irvine of Kenosha.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Lionel Llanas and Phillip Llanas.

A visitation will be held for Gene on Tuesday,

May 6, at the Proko Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, May 7, at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 614 Main St. (Corner of 7th and Main) Racine, Wis., at 9:30 a.m. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church at 9:15 a.m. Interment will follow at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery at 12 Noon.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Rade Milosevic and Dr. Raymond W. Knight for the wonderful care given to Gene over the years. They would also like to thank the staff at St. Catherines Kidney Center and the Volunteer Transport drivers for their dedication.

Proko Funeral Home & Crematory

5111-60th Street Phone: (262) 654-3533

Visit Genes Online Memorial Book at:

www.prokofuneralhome.com