Eugene "Gene" Herman Kletschka, 78

Eugene “Gene” Herman Kletschka, age 78 of Waterville, died unexpectedly, surrounded by family, on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Born in Waterville on July 11, 1940, Gene was the son of Emil and Mary Catherine (Velishek) Kletschka. He graduated from Waterville High School where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Diana Troutner. Gene and Diana were married on November 7, 1959 at the Waterville United Methodist Church. They shared 33 loving years together, much of it in Waterville raising their family until Diana’s death. On June 20, 1998 Gene married Lois Hoffman at Bray Park in Madison Lake. They cared for one another until her death in the fall of 2018. Over the years Gene worked as a fish cleaner, trapper, garbage man, and owner of the Sakatah Bay Motel. He was co-owner of M&G Electric where he enjoyed working alongside his son Mike for the majority of his electrical career. Gene loved dancing, bowling, gambling, camping, hunting, and fishing. He had great pride in his sense of humor. His last advice to the family he loved and raised was, “Keep laughter in the world. That’s what makes it spin, love and laughter.”

Gene is survived by three children, Michael (Lisa) Kletschka of Waterville, Teresa (Jay) Hill of Elysian, and Brenda (Shawn) Heuss of Waterville; three step-children, Timothy (Tracy) Ravey of WI, Debra (Andee) Ravey of WI, and Jodi (Kay Jowett) Ravey of WI; one sister, Gloria (Karl) Lederer; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey (Amanda) Kletschka, Miranda (Jared) Soost, Christal (Thomas) Mercier, Jacob Hill, Justin Hill, Alexandra Heuss, and Madeline Heuss; three step-grandchildren, Saisha Ravey, Stephanie Ravey, and Aaron Ravey; five great-grandchildren, Emmet and Etta Mercier, Myles and Kysen Kletschka, and Emma Soost; and three step-great-grandchildren, Kira, Keaton, & Luka Ravey. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Diana and Lois; seven siblings, Richard, Rosemarie, Arlene, James, Mary Ellen, Robert, and Darlene; and three step-siblings, Katherine, Kenneth, and Melvin.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 2018 at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waterville, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Waterville, with Rev. Gene Witte officiating. Interment will follow at Sakatah Cemetery in Waterville. dennisfuneralhomes.com