Eugene "Gene" G. Lemon

Eugene “Gene” G. Lemon, 76, Kewaunee, WI, passed away peacefully after a short time with cancer, surrounded by his family who loved him so much. Gene was born on June 27, 1949, in Antigo, WI, to Albert Lemon and Bette Jane Lemon. Gene married JoAnna Frisby on February 4, 1970. They have resided in Kewaunee for over 48 years.

Gene is lovingly remembered by his wife; his daughters, Jeanna Lemon of Wasilla, Alaska, and Jennifer Lemon of Kewaunee, WI; and his son, Joseph (Kristin) Lemon of Kewaunee, WI. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Abigail (Caleb) Gray, Joseph Jr., Jonathan, Vivian, Joshua, Jonah, and Jesse; his great-grandson, Aaron Gray; and his sister-in-law, Susan Lemon of Greenville, WI. He also had many beloved nieces and nephews. Gene will be dearly missed by their collie, Cinnamon. He sure loved that dog.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Penny, his brother John, and his great-granddaughter Felicity Marie Gray.

Gene attempted to join every branch of the military during Vietnam but was denied because he was a Type 1 diabetic. He went on to earn his A&P Certification and worked as an aircraft technician in hopes of serving his country in some way. Later, he pursued a career in welding and metal fabrication at Drott Manufacturing Company.

If you knew Gene, you knew he could find a solution to just about any mechanical problem. He created many inventions and always said he should apply for a patent, as many times he would later see those same inventions on the shelves of hardware stores. Gene was a family man who loved his children and spent much of his time teaching—whether it was how to change a tire and the oil, which he required knowing before they got their driver’s licenses, or discussing the origins of words and weather patterns. He was always pouring knowledge into them.

He also invested deeply in his grandchildren, showing the boys how to weld or fix a car, and he loved spending time talking with his granddaughters. He genuinely wanted to know about their day. Gene loved to teach kids, and all of the children in Jo’s daycare were such a bright part of his life. Each child was given a special nickname. When Jo ended the daycare in 2021, after 40 years, Gene said, “I think we need to get some more kids.” One thing is for sure, no matter how young or old, everyone was going to learn how to pile wood.

As of July 2025, Gene had lived with Type 1 Diabetes for 60 years, a fact one doctor recently called a modern medical miracle. Gene was cared for by some amazing people who truly loved and supported him. The family would like to thank a few of them: Bonnie S. Mueller-Waigand, PA-C; Mackenzie Vander Bloomen, APNP, Prevea Endocrinology; Bellin nurses and doctors; the Palliative Care staff; Unity Hospice nurses; and the Kewaunee Ambulance team. We would like to thank Lakeshore Baptist Church in Kewaunee, and Pastor Josh and Mrs. Jezowski and Pastor Ray and Mrs. Anderson for your love and support. A special thank-you goes to our neighbors, Justin and Annetta Neumann, and their children, for always being there for us.

In one of the last conversations Gene had with our neighbor a month ago, he said, “I don’t need anything. Everything I have is right here—my family, my home, and freedom.”

A visitation will take place Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Kinnard Funeral & Cremation Services, Kewaunee, with a prayer service at 6:00 pm. Funeral Service will take place on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Lakeshore Baptist Church, 925 Marquette Drive, Kewaunee with burial following in Riverview Cemetery. Online condolence messages may be shared at KinnardFCS.com.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Gene’s name.