Eugene Hruska
Eugene “Gene” Hruska, age 69, of West Union, IA, died on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, at his home in West Union, IA.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today (Wednesday Aug. 10) and after 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at Holy Name Catholic Church Hall, 128 N. Walnut St. in West Union.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Jim Brokman at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union.
Interment will be at St. Wencelaus Catholic Cemetery in Spillville. Military honors will be conducted by Clarence Bily American Legion Post 467 of Spillville.
Honorary casket bearers will be all of Gene’s nieces and nephews.
Schluter-Balik Funeral Home of Decorah is in charge of arrangements.
Eugene Henry “Gene” Hruska was born on December 4, 1946, the son of Walter and Lydia (Frana) Hruska in Decorah, IA.
Gene attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1965.
He worked for a short time in Madison, WI, before he was drafted into the U.S. Marines, serving from 1966-68.
He was united in marriage to Betty Schissel on June 4, 1966, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church by Monsignor Gerald Steiert. To this union, three daughters were born: Wendy, Lori and Bonnie.
Gene worked for Interstate Power Company in West Union, Postville, Fayette and then back to West Union in 1976, retiring as a lineman in 2008.
He enjoyed all outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, golfing, and camping.
Above everything else, he especially loved his wife, children, and all his relatives.
Gene was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church, Fayette Jaycees and Fire Department and the Civic Improvement Association in Spillville.
Gene is survived by his wife: Betty Hruska, West Union, IA. Three daughters; Wendy (Steve) Hoornstra, Superior, WI; Lori Hruska, Spillville, IA; Bonnie (Ryan) Burnett, Mason City, IA. Three grandchildren: Justin (Leslie) Jacobson, Ashley (Andrew) Goenner, and Zachary Hruska. Two great grandchildren: Christopher and Erick. One sister: Mary Ann Hemesath, Verona, WI. One brother: Walter (Helen) Hruska, Rochester, MN. Sisters and brothers-in-law: Evelyn Hruska, Verona, WI; Dorothy (Frank) Quirk, The Villages, FL; Alvin (Marian) Schissel, Rice Lake, WI; Rita Kuehner, Orinda, CA; Kenny (Mary) Schissel, Calmar, IA; and Peggy Schissel, Temecula, CA; as well as several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents: Walter and Lydia (Frana) Hruska. His father and mother-in-law: Paul and Angela (Hageman) Schissel. One brother: John Hruska. Two brothers-in-law: Bob Schissel and Dick Schissel.
Gene’s urn was handcrafted by his brother Walter from walnut from his family woods. 32u32