Eugene C. 'Gene' Koplien

Surrounded by his family, Gene Koplien, age 72, of Weyauwega, was called to his heavenly home on Monday, April 14, 2008. Gene was born in New London on February 28, 1936 to Edmund E. and Dorothea H. (Zaudke) Koplien. He attended school in Weyauwega, and was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church, where he was a lifelong member. He served his country in the United States Army. On March 9, 1957 he married Wynn Lou Schroeder at St. Peter. She preceded him in death on October 3, 1997. Gene was the epitome of a "self-made man". Raised during The Great Depression in a family of 10, and in spite of not receiving a high school diploma, he became and electrician by trade. He was the proprietor of Koplien Electric, Inc. and was well known throughout the state, as well as doing residential work in this area. He later worked the Ron & Lloyd's chain of grocery stores, and Town & Country Electric. He will be long-remembered in this area for being a "master" walleye fisherman. His happiest hours were spent in his boat on the Wolf River. Survivors include his daughter Julie (Rory) Koch; son David Koplien (special friend Cindy Rohan); daughters Jeri (Philip) Mihna, Brenda Koplien, and Kelly Beyer. Gene was the proud grandfather of 18 grandchildren: Billie Jean (Ben) Claassen, David, Richard (Cassandara), and Michael Rupno, John and Anna Koch; Justin, Jordan, and Jennifer Koplien; Karly (Anthony) Menchaca, Kasey Koplien, Joseph, Samuel, Sarah, and Joy Mihna; and Benjamin and Daniel Beyer. He was the great-grandfather of Morgan Wilson, Reilly Wynn Claassen, Nathaniel, Nickolas, and Noah Menchaca, and Carter Rupno. Gene is further survived by his sisters DeLores (Verle) Becker, Doris Crist, JoAnn Gettendorf, and Eunice (Dick) Billington; brothers-in-law Atwood Leiskau, Earl (Jerry) Kent, and Gary Weiss; his wife's brother Bill Schroeder and sisters Sharon (Gordon) Kadolph, Shirley (Don) Braun, and Kathe (Bill) Jonely; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wife, Gene was preceded in death by his brother Elwyn, sisters LaVerna Leiskau, Bernice Kent, Sarah Kent, and VerLee Weiss; brothers-in-law George (Nick) Kent, Bill Crist, and Forrest Gettendorf, and a special friend Paula Dyer. A memorial service for Gene will be held on Friday April 18th at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Weyauwega at 7 p.m. with Rev. Dennis Lemke and Rev. Robbin Robbert officiating. Burial will be in Lind Center Cemetery, Town of Lind, Waupaca Co. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 4 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran School.