Eugene Woehler

Eugene E. Woehler, aged 99, passed away September 27, 2022 at his home.

“Big Gene” was born in 1923 in Appleton, WI the oldest child of Erna (Jens) and Arthur Woehler.

Gene graduated from Appleton West High School in 1941 and was among the first group of 19 year olds drafted into WWII.  Intelligent and capable, he was assigned to the (then) Army Air Force as a weather observer in North Africa, serving in Algeria and Tunisia.

Gene attended the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1949 with a degree in Soil Conservation. He worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a Wildlife Biologist, retiring in 1985. His retirement years were spent as a tireless volunteer for numerous organizations including the Madison Audubon Society, Madison Daylily Society, the Prairie Enthusiasts and more.

Gene married Marlene Baxter September 5, 1959.  They were married for 58 years until Marlene’s death in 2018.

Gene had a life long interest in birds.  He began raising chickens at his Grandparents farm during the ‘30s which grew into an egg and chick selling business. He showed chickens at poultry shows across the country, and was recognized for his Buttercup chickens.  After decades of chicken raising, he developed an interest in caged birds and kept a rotating flock of canaries, love birds, and parrots until his last years.

He was committed to conservation of native wildlife and habitat, and contributed to numerous prairie projects over the years, including the establishment of the Madison Audubon Goose Pond Sanctuary in Arlington, WI.

A childhood in the Depression fostered a habit of frugality in Gene that stayed with him his entire life.  His thriftiness was legendary!  Plastic bags, empty jars, and newspapers proliferated! Even the advent of recycling pickup did not stem Gene’s desire to save and reuse items.  His philosophy of “Why pay someone to do something if you can do it yourself?” kept him shoveling snow into his early 90’s until his wife and daughter, concerned for his safety, harangued him into accepting a snow removal service.

Gene truly personified the spirit of the Greatest Generation. A man of quiet dignity and integrity; he gave selflessly and generously of his time, his expertise, and resources; he showed us to be stewards of the earth, and that a life of service is its own reward.

Gene is survived by daughter, Kristin Marlow; grandchildren James (Emily Smith), Margaret, and Bruce Marlow, all of Madison; sister, Doris McMahon of Cedarburg and her daughter, Pamela Liegeois and family; and many other extended family.  He is further survived by over 40 varieties of daylilies and 30 amaryllis bulbs that will be tenderly cared for by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother James, wife Marlene, and son-in-law Brad Marlow.

There will be a memorial visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday October 7, 2022 at Cress Funeral Service, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, WI 53705.  Gene was laid to rest at Sunset Memory Gardens.

Cress Funeral Service

3610 Speedway Rd.

Madison, WI 53705

608-238-3434