Eugene Robert Knoke

Eugene Robert Knoke, age 89, passed away Sunday January 28, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones at McCormick Assisted Living, Green Bay. He was born December 22, 1934, to the late Herman and Lucy (Lotharius) Knoke at their home in Gresham, Wisconsin. Eugene attended Gresham High School graduating with the class of 1953.
Volunteering for the U.S. Navy in 1956 Eugene served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga, CVA-14, finishing his navy career as YN3 in 1958. Gene was very proud of his Navy service.
Gene had a long career in the paper industry, starting with production at Shawano Paper Mills and continuing as a sales representative for Butler Paper Company for twenty years, until his retirement in 1991. Gene also served the Shawano County Sheriffs Department as a Deputy.
When Gene wasn't kicking his heels on the dance floor, he was spending time in his beloved lawn chasing nasty weeds or doing challenging Crossword or Sudoku puzzles. Physical fitness became regular and important part of his later years, spending many hours in the gym or taking long walks - burning off the sugar filled diet he loved. He was a lover of music, he would regularly show off that he knew a song completely from beginning to end, whether you cared or not. If it sounds like we are giving him a hard time, it is only because we know how generous his sense of humor was.
He is survived by one daughter: Gina (Mark) Leahy, Madison; two sons: Anthony (Terry) Knoke, Combined Locks; and Rodney (Kim Boldt) Knoke, Green Bay; brother: Dan (Carla) Knoke, Appleton; sister: Anita Knoke, Gresham; five grandchildren: Alyssa Leahy (Stefan), Kelsey Leahy-Watts (Zach), Aaron Knoke, Alex Knoke, and Sam Stockstill, also survived by his special friend of many years, Daisy Gunderson.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings; three brothers; James (Marie) Knoke, John (Ila) Knoke, Herman (Mary Lou) Knoke; four sisters: Alice (Louis) Bruss, Marion (William) Moede, Cecile (John) Bruss, and Lorrayne Jansen; one grandson; Andrew Tohulka.
A funeral service will be held on Friday February 2, 2024, at 11:00 am at The Lyndahl Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1350 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay. Visitation will occur from 9:30 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. Burial will take place privately with close family at St. Francis Cemetery, Gresham, Wisconsin.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.lyndahl.com
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at McCormick Assisted Living, as well as Unity Hospice for their unending dignified care and compassion.
The Lyndahl Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/research.
To view a livestream of the service for Eugene, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/lyndahlfuneralhome/