Eugene O. Long

Eugene O. Long, age 81, of Weyauwega, died peacefully on Friday, December 8, 2023 at Theda Care Regional Medical Center in Appleton after a long battle with complications related to kidney disease.

Eugene (Gene) was born on November 24, 1942, to Oscar and Evelyn Long of Weyauwega. He graduated from Weyauwega High School in 1960. Following graduation from High School he attended Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton.

Gene was a member of Baldwin Mills 4-H and enjoyed showing livestock at the Waupaca County Fair.

He married Sue Krueger in 1967 and they have been life long residents of Waupaca County. They had a love for horses and began that journey with their nieces at 4-H and open shows. Later with the Wisconsin Buckskin Horse Association and the Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association. Gene did not show but provided support to Sue for her love of game. They made many wonderful friends who are like family along the journey. His favorite Horse Show was the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. Every year in October he spent hours watching the events and following Sue around shopping.

While traveling to horse shows where everyone has a dog, he fell in love with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, who he named Charmin Sadie Mae (Sadie). She was his fur baby. He couldn't have just one so A Little Bit Rowdy (Rowdy) joined the family. With the passing of the first two, Caley and Winston joined the family.

Gene was an avid hunter and fisherman. Deer hunting in November was a priority and he has a number of very nice bucks. They journeyed to Wyoming to elk hunt with Sue's dad, brother and sister-in-law in 1971. His second adventure out west took him to Colorado with friends.

Following retirement, he loved going to Carlisle, PA to visit his niece Heidi (Bryan) Shatto and their boys. He loved the baseball games and just hanging out. In addition, he traveled to Georgia to visit another niece Rachel (Brad) Bardall to help celebrate her son Jackson's high school graduation. Trips to Nashville and the Smoky Mountains were also on the travel list.

Gene has been an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Weyauwega, serving as an Elder and a member of various committees. He also shared his time and talents as a head usher, greeter and helping with Easter Breakfast.

Over the years, he was a fountain family history information and loved to share with his nieces and nephews. If you took a road trip with him in Waupaca County, you got to know everyone on the route.

He was preceded in death his parents, Oscar and Evelyn Long; brother, Keith Long; infant niece, Brenda Sue; sister-in -law, Cindy Long; father-in-Law, William Krueger; spouse, Verona (Thiel) Krueger.

He is survived by his wife, Sue; two brothers: Donald Long of Waupaca and Richard Long of Fort Wayne, Indiana; sisters-in law, Judy (Krueger) Long of Weyauwega and Sherry (Aegerter) Krueger; brother-in-law, William Krueger. He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

The Memorial Service for Gene with be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church in Weyauwega, with visitation from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM and the service at 11:00. Rev. Joseph Corbin will be officiating. A lunch celebrating Gene's life will be held in the fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church.

Thank you to the staff at Theda Care Medical Center in Appleton for the outstanding care and support. Their doctors and nurses are the best.