Eugene "Geno" Victor Fischer

Eugene V. Fischer, age 80 of Marion, passed away peacefully January 15, 2018 at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, Neenah.

Eugene “Geno” Victor Fischer was born May 12, 1937 in the Town of Dupont to the late Melvin & Goldabell (Sell) Fischer. He attended Marion schools, where in high school, sang in choir, was elected Prom King, and played on the basketball team; he graduated in 1955. Geno served six months of training with the Army Reserves, after which, he was employed at Marion Plywood for a time. He then leased and managed a restaurant in Stevens Point, and later partnered with Ray Olson opening “Gene & Ray’s,” a bar & grill in Marion. Geno was united in marriage to Karen Ruppel at Bethel Lutheran Church, Menasha on March 25, 1962. In 1964, Geno & Karen bought out Mr. Olson’s part of the business and operated under the name “Geno’s Bar & Grill;” later, they also purchased and operated Geno’s II, formerly “Koepke’s Bar.” By the late 1980’s the businesses were sold, and Geno worked again for Marion Plywood and later as a custodian at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marion, were he was a member, serving on church council and singing in the choir. Geno became a Marion Lions Club member in 1964, and through Lionism, helped to make his community a better place. He held every office at the club level, including Fish Derby Ticket Chairman and was a top ticket seller, served as the 27-B2 District Zone Chairman, Region Chairman, Deputy District Governor, District Governor (1983-84), & the Wisconsin Lions Foundation Director. He was also awarded with the Knight of Sight, Lion of Year, Melvin Jones Fellow, and the Birch-Sturm Fellow. After his retirement in 1994, he kept up with his love of card playing, specifically: Cribbage, Sheepshead, & Canada. Geno loved the Packers, Badgers, Brewers, & Bucks, and rarely missed a Marion High School Basketball game. He really enjoyed bowling and sponsored many teams over the years; he also like to play softball and was instrumental in the formation of the Marion Softball Leagues. Geno hunted bear and deer with both bow and gun, and was active with the Marion Bowhunters. In his later years, he also really enjoyed driving his Amish friends around the Marion area. His signature look was his attention-grabbing shorts with all kinds of interesting prints that he would often wear with a dress shirt, suspenders, and occasionally, a vest. He will be remembered for his patience, generosity, soft-heartedness, as well as the deep love he had for his family and grandchildren. Geno also wanted to remind his grandchildren especially that there is to be “no crying at the funeral” as per grandpa’s request.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Karen

Daughter: Jackie (Donald) Orth, Bullhead City, AZ

Sons: Arlyn (Liz) Fischer, Marion

         Bradley (Gwen) Fischer, Marion

Grandchildren: Dylan Yorton, Evan & Ashley Fischer, Nic, Brittney, Andrew (Autumn), & Elizabeth Orth, & Emily & Katlin Hahn

Great-grandchildren: Ari, Bella, Nala, Damien, Kya & MaryEllen

Sisters: Adelie Huck, Carol (Lyle) Gruetzmacher, & Joanne Harvey

Brothers: Duane (Shirley) Fischer & Don (Jeanne) Fischer

Geno was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Connie; a son, Benjamin; & brothers-in-law, Ed Huck, Jack Betow, & Bo Harvey.

Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, January 20, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marion, with the Rev. Beth Macha officiating. Inurnment will take place at Greenleaf Cemetery, Marion, in the springtime. Military honor rites will be conducted by American Legion Post #198 of Marion.

Friends may call at the church on Friday from 3 – 8 PM and again at the church on Saturday from 10 AM until the time of the service.

*In lieu of flowers, memorials in Geno’s name are preferred to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, 3834 Cty. Rd. A Rosholt, WI 54473 ph: 1-877-463-6953 or the St. John’s Lutheran Church Sanctuary Project, 318 E. Garfield Ave. Marion, WI 54950 ph: 715-754-5201.

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Marion, is assisting his family.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.       

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