Gene Joseph Rheaume

Gene Joseph Rheaume, 83, of Longview, WA, died July 14, 2025. He was born on October 11, 1941, at Cowlitz General Hospital in Longview to Urbain and Lydia (Samson) Rheaume, the fourth of seven children. The family lived on Bunker Hill Rd in Longview where they enjoyed many adventures growing up.
Gene attended St. Rose Catholic School through 8th Grade, then graduated from R.A. Long High School in 1959, a proud member of the FFA. After graduation, he served in the UnitedStates Army for three years. He was sent to Thailand and served in the Army Corps of Engineers, where he built bridges and airports and greatly enjoyed his time there.
After his return home, Gene met Sharon Laulainen on the way to a Puget Island dance. They were married in 1964 and built their family home on Lone Oak Rd, on Sharon's family property. They adopted their only child, Kristina, in 1970 when she was three weeks old. In 1989, Gene and Sharon parted ways, and Gene moved to Bellingham where he met his partner Jane Mains. He would live in Bellingham until moving back to the Longview area in 2015 to be nearer to his family.
After Gene returned home from his military service, he joined the Carpenters Local 1707 in Longview and graduated from his apprenticeship training. As a journeyman carpenter Gene's first employer was K.T. Henderson, then worked for several local contractors over the years. His final employer was J.H. Kelly for 15 years until his retirement in 2002. The construction jobs he was most proud of were the Hall of Justice in West Kelso, building the Mt. St. Helens Visitors Center in Castle Rock, and a refinery wastewater treatment plant in Ferndale, WA.
When he wasn't working construction, he was clearing land, making hay, chopping firewood and raising cattle at home on Lone Oak Rd. After retiring in Bellingham, he did not slow down.
He always found projects to work on at home or by helping others. When he moved back to Longview, he started woodworking with friends and made many tables and other wood projects which he gave to family and friends.
Gene loved to fish and go crabbing and clam digging. He loved to play cards - he taught his grandchildren to play cribbage and blackjack. As a young man, he hunted deer and elk with his brothers. He went to Long Beach often and especially enjoyed taking part in the annual Long Beach Tavern picnic. He enjoyed many good times with his family and friends. He was very curious about people and local history. He enjoyed reading about the history of logging in the PNW. He collected antique carpentry and logging tools. He loved to walk in the woods and talk about the trees. He always loved listening to old time country music, and he loved listening to his grandchildren practice their music.
Gene is survived by his daughter Kristina (Josh Filner), grandchildren Eli, Seth, Ephraim and Norah Filner; brothers Bob, Dennis, and Ed Rheaume; sister Mary Jane Rheaume; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his former wife Sharon Laulainen and past partner Jane Mains. Also, his best friend of many years Lonnie Hage. Gene is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Delbert and Ronald "Red" Rheaume.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Gene on his birthday, October 11, 1pm, at the Cowlitz
Valley Moose Lodge, 921 Washington Way.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House in Longview.