Eugene “Gene” Kortbein, 65, of Norwalk passed away Monday, April 11, 2011, at Serenity House in Tomah.
He was born Aug. 17, 1945, to Myron and Della (Kuthlow) Kortbein in Sparta and was raised on the family farm in Ridgeville. He was united in marriage to Patricia Downing on April 22, 1967, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sparta.
To say that he enjoyed his work is an understatement. Gene worked on the farm from 1967 until 1983 and with Don’s Plumbing from 1985 to 2008. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed sports and hunting, especially his trips out West to hunt with his friends. His family and grandchildren were extremely special to him, and he treasured them very much.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; his daughter, Laurie (James) DelMedico of Westby and children Marissa, Mariah, Miranda and Dominic; his daughter, Amy (Jack) Haldeman of Sparta and children Jon and Nicholas; his sisters, Joyce Anderson of Fitchburg, Wis., Carol (George) Ferge of Janesville and Judy (Charles) Hart of Owatonna, Minn., and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Della, and two brothers-in-law, Raymond Esser and Eldon Anderson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 15, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor Matthew Minzlaff will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah.
Family and friends are invited for visitation at the funeral home from 4–7 p.m. and one hour prior to services Friday. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
