EUGENE J NOE
EUGENE J NOE – Obituary
Eugene (Gene) J. Noe, 103,
died peacefully Feb 9, 2014 at St. Francis Assisted Living Home in
If the classic movie “It’s
a Wonderful Life” were real, Gene Noe would be Jimmy Stewart’s character,
George Bailey. Love, laughter, triumph, tragedy, art, music, God and country
were all woven into Gene’s irrepressible optimism that directed his long life.
Born November 12, 1910 in
of eight to William J. Noe and Josepha (Eveslage) Noe, Gene moved to
Graduating from
Senior H.S. at the start of the Great Depression in 1929, Mr. Noe found
employment at Rueping Leather Co. for 35 cents per hour. Shortly after starting
work he met Florence A. Ludkey at a local dance held at the “Armory E” and
dated until they married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in 1935. By then, Gene
was working at the
post office as mail carrier and clerk but quickly moved up to Assistant
Postmaster, a position he held until his retirement in 1973.
Gene and
a son, Richard in 1937. Tragically, in 1943 he was killed in an automobile
accident. United by their strength and love they had two more sons, David in
1945 and Donald in 1951.
Mr. Noe’s devotion to music
began early in life when he would watch his father play the piano in his
boyhood home on
Gene learned to play several instruments in high school band and joined the
as a clarinet player, a spot he occupied for 45 years. At the same time he was
also a tenor saxophone player for a 12 piece dance band that performed in three
states in the 1930’s and 40’s. In addition, Gene was a clarinetist in the
Badger Symphony Orchestra, now the
du Lac
Art was also a special part
of Gene’s life and he embraced it with a passion. He joined the
Association in 1968 and has painted hundreds of landscapes in oil which have
been displayed throughout the local area and have won numerous awards and
ribbons spanning six decades. He continued painting almost until his death.
Gene was also a member of
Toastmasters International serving two years as district governor, a longtime
member of St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Churches where he was actively
involved with liturgy as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1934
and the St. Vincent de Paul Society for many years. While with the post office,
Mr. Noe was a member of the National Association of Postal Supervisors and
served as its Wisconsin State President for two years.
Gene was also an avid
golfer and was founding president of the Rolling Meadows Senior League. He
enjoyed bowling, travel, all Wisconsin sports and walking for the sake of
exercise long before it became popular. He was often seen walking to work and
frequently turned down ride offers from passing motorists who had assumed that
his car had broken. Anyone who met Gene was always blessed with a smile, an
optimistic outlook and a warm greeting.
Gene and
together traveling our country and enjoying the company of family and friends.
Sadly, the love of his life passed away in 1994.
He is preceded in death by
his parents, wife
Aaron, sisters Marie Richards and Katherine Heaney, and brothers Anthony,
Phillip, John and
Survivors are sister
Delores Loche of Milwaukee, sons David (Shelley) of Fond du Lac, and Donald
(Betty) of Miami, FL, grandchildren Allisun (Brian) Conant of Chicago, IL, Beth
(Jon) Hartzheim of Fond du Lac, Matthew Noe of Key Largo, FL and Alan Noe of
Miami, FL, and great grandchildren Elijah, Madeline, Miles and Calvin.
Visitation: The family will
receive relatives and friends on Monday, February 17, 2014 at
Fourth Street
Service: A Mass of Christian Burial
will be celebrated at 11:00 AM at
on Monday, February 17, 2014. Burial will take place at
In lieu of flowers, Gene
expressed his wish that a donation be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society
or another charity.
Gene Noe truly lived Frank
Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” and Clarence his guardian Angel has taken him
to heaven forever to be happy with the rest of his family there.
Zacherl Funeral Home &
Crematory is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com