Eugene “Gene” Kaiser, age 82 of Hammond, died peacefully Tuesday, September 28th at the Golden Living Healthcare Center in Stillwater.

Gene was born on May 3, 1928 in Chippewa Falls; the son of Harold and Ruth (Hauptman) Kaiser. He was raised in Chippewa Falls where he graduated from high school. He enlisted in the armed forces where he proudly served in the United States Army. He served in peacetime in Guam.

On December 27, 1951, he was united in marriage to Jo Ann Marie Gunderman at the rectory in Bloomer. For more than half of his life, he worked as a salesman for Osborne Kemper Thomas; a promotional advertising company. Chances are, you probably were given a pen or calendar ‘from Gene’ to use over the years.

Gene loved the outdoors. Fishing for anything that would bite and camping with his family gave him the greatest pleasure. They searched for the best rocks – agates and would have them polished up to remember their adventures. He was an avid Green Bay Packer Backer and Wisconsin Badger fan. He was also a proud member of the Immaculate Conception Knights of Columbus, Hammond Lions Club, Cub Scout Leader and firefighter. He and Jo Ann enjoyed volunteering and singing at the American Heritage Care Center in Hammond. Gene was also an avid reader and enjoyed checking out 4-5 books per week from the Hammond Library. Gene’s sense of humor and light hearted demeanor will be missed by those who knew him.

Gene is survived by his wife Jo Ann, children Julie (Lloyd Urban) Deiss of River Falls, Vicki (John) Cernohous of River Falls, , David Kaiser of North Hudson, Cindy Karnes of Oakdale and family friend George Chapple (aka Dark Star) grandchildren Jen Deiss, Jason Deiss, Nate (Kelly) Hetrick, Stacy (Nick) Delwiche, Craig Kaiser, Jeff Kaiser, John Kaiser, Joshua (Rachel) Cameron, great grandchildren Carleen, Caitlyn, Cory, Caleb, Brett, Cole, Vinnie, Alexis, Allyson, Ayden, sister Caryl Peterson of California, sister-in-law Barb Kaiser of Chippewa Falls, and many nieces and nephews. Gene is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Ruth (Hauptman) Kaiser, son Jeffrey, daughter Tammy Kincade, grandson Cory Hetrick, brother Richard Kaiser and nephew Tim Kaiser.

Mass of Christian Burial for Eugene Kaiser will be 10AM Saturday October 2nd at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hammond with Fr. Jerry Harris officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Hammond with his grandsons serving as active casket bearers. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday and on Friday from 4 until 7PM with a prayer service at 6:45 PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin, 715-684-3434.