Eugene A. Hengel

Rollingstone, MNEugene A. Hengel, 78, died Sunday, July 31, 2005, at Winona Community Memorial Hospital in Winona, MN. Eugene was born May 24, 1927 in Rollingstone, MN to Lawrence and Hedwig (Weis) Hengel. He married Elnora Pasche on August 2, 1950 in Rollingstone, MN. She later preceded him in death June 29, 1998. Eugene served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the Philippines. Gene was employed as a carpenter for Rollingstone Lumber since a young adult and worked for Rollingstone Kendell Corporation unit his retirement. After retirement he continued to do woodworking projects at home with his wife, Nora, at his side. Gene served the Rollingstone Fire Dept. for 36 years, 13 of those years serving as chief. Many summer weekends were spent riding in area parades along with his mascots in a model A fire truck. He also spent many happy days fishing the Mississippi River in his boat "The Nora". Throughout his years he had many beloved four legged companions, Boots, Buttons, Pepper, Maggie and PJ. In the fall of each year you could always find Gene in the woods wearing his blaze orange with daughter, sons and grandsons. Though the last several years of his life were a struggle, Gene was most proud and happy when his family was around him and he could be home. Gene was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone, MN.Survivors include his children, James Hengel, Dennis (Kate) Hengel, Francis Hengel all of Rollingstone, Bob (Kathy) Hengel of Winona, Susan (Darwin) Denzer of Minnesota City, MN and Joan ( Wayne) Dunlap of Cadot, WI; six grandchildren, Christopher Denzer, Jon Hengel, Joe Hengel, Mike Hengel, Andy Hengel and Kayla Dunlap; two great ? grandchildren, Paige Denzer and Grady Hengel. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Elnora, two brothers, Elmer and Earl and one sister, Elaine.A Funeral Mass will be offered on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at 10:00am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone with the Rev. Donald J. Lovas officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 5-8:00pm at Holy Trinity Catholic church in Rollingstone where there will be a Christian Prayer Service held at 7:30pm. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Pallbearers will be all of Gene's grandchildren along with Darwin Denzer and Wayne Dunlap. Honorary Pallbearers will be all retired and active volunteer firemen in Rollingstone. Hoff Funeral Homes ? Burke Winona Chapel will be assisting the family with the arrangements. Please feel free to share a memory of Gene with the family at: www.hofffuneralhomes.com