Eugene “Gene†R. Kolb, 90, longtime resident of De Pere, went to be with the Lord and join his wife in Heaven, Sunday, August 27, 2017, following a two-month battle with pneumonia.
Gene was born June 14, 1927, in West De Pere to Anthony and Pearl (Spear) Kolb. He graduated from St. Joseph Grade School and Nicolet High School in West De Pere. Gene entered the U.S. Navy, following graduation from high school in June of 1945. In September of 1949, he was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer First-Class. Gene enlisted in the inactive Naval Reserve and was recalled to active duty in August of 1950. He served in Korea on the U.S.S. Epping Forest in 1951 and was released from active duty in 1952.
Mr. Kolb was employed by the Rabideau/LinMor Hardware Store until entering the U.S. Postal Service in 1957. He retired in 1983, after serving for 26 years at the De Pere Post Office.
In 1952, Gene met and fell in love with Trudy Vande Logt. They were married on June 6, 1953. Together they raised five children with whom they enjoyed traveling, camping and family gatherings, up north and at home. Gene and Trudy enjoyed traveling to Florida and California. They also enjoyed square dancing. Mr. Kolb was a proud member of the U.S.S. Epping Forest and U.S.S. Ajax Reunion Associations and enjoyed attending these reunions where he was reunited with the shipmates. In April of 2015, Gene was honored to participate in an Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington D.C. On June 11th of this year, he happily celebrated his 90th birthday with his family and friends.
Gene was a longtime member of St. Mary Parish in De Pere, was a Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus, Abbot Pennings Council #3955, The De Pere Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2113, The National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the YMCA’s AOA group.
Survivors include his children and their spouses, Cathy and Ken Blaney, Chris and Donna Kolb, Jon and Mary Jo Kolb, Jeanne Kolb, Tim Kolb and Min Jiang-Kolb; grandchildren, Kathleen and Erin Blaney, Grace Kolb, Allison and Emily Kolb, Anthony and Ethan Kolb; a sister, Ruby Ahasay; two brothers, Lloyd and Beverly Kolb, Darrell Kolb and his special friend, Kathy Collins; and two sisters-in-law, Audrey Vande Logt and Evie Vande Logt. Gene is further survived by “the Kolbs across the streetâ€; his lady friend, Dorothy Chekouras and her family; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Trudy; and infant son, Anthony; his parents; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Ruth Kolb, Jerome and Nancy Kolb, William “Bill†and Lee Kolb; a brother-in-law, Robert “Bob†Ahasay; four brothers-in-law, Anthony Vande Logt, Yvoine (Jean) Vande Logt, Bernard (Helen) Vande Logt, Elmer “Red†Vande Logt; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Catherine Vande Logt.
Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The Knights of Columbus Prayer Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by the Parish Wake Service. Friends may also call at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Dr., Ledgeview, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Friday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Entombment will be in the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
A memorial fund has been established.
The Kolb family wishes to express their gratitude to the staffs of Grancare Gardens, Grancare Rehabilitation Center, and Compassus Hospice for the compassionate and loving care which they gave to Gene. A special thank you is also extended to “the Kolbs across the street†for their kindness and generosity. |