Eugene D. Schaefer, Kaukauna, age 88, died at his home on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.  He was born in Kaukauna on August 27, 1933 to the late William and Helen "Nell" (Vogt) Schaefer.  Gene served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.  Later, he served as the Post Commander of the Kaukauna V.F.W. Post 3319 and participated in the funeral honors of countless veterans.  He also served as Committee Vice President for the Ring of Honor Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park.  Gene married Jane Hardy at Holy Cross Parish on November 7, 1959.  His career was in law enforcement and he retired as the Assistant Chief of the Kaukauna Police Department in 1989.  Gene became restless in retirement so he put in his papers to run for the position of Kaukauna Municipal Judge; he was elected and served as the Judge from 1994-2016.

Known as "Doodles" throughout his lifetime by many friends and family members; Jane needed to perform some of her own interrogation to get his full legal name when she went to get their marriage license.  Gene was an avid reader who loved to play cards, golf, fish and watch the Packers, Brewers and Badgers.  He enjoyed family camping trips when his children were young and then later, vacations to Laughlin and Las Vegas, Nevada with Jane.  Gene also coached Kaukauna Youth Baseball with family members. He was quick witted and would often recite folksongs such as Old Dan Tucker, Mr. Johnny Verbeck and the Little Brown Mouse. He had a pleasant singing voice and really enjoyed karaoke, but you couldn't get him to admit that! Gene treasured time spent with his family. He was a proud grandfather and found ways to make a connection with each of his four grandchildren in a unique and meaningful way.

Gene is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jane; children:  William Schaefer (special friend Nancy King) of Niagara; Robert Schaefer of Menasha; and Mary (Jack) Welch, Appleton; grandchildren:  Kimberly (Jon) Anderson, Charles Schaefer, McKenzie (fiancé Alexander Reinke) Welch, and Jenna Welch; siblings:  Elaine King and Dorothy "Dot" (Gordon) Weyers; and brothers-in-law:  William Hardy and David (Barbara) Hardy.  He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth; son-in-law, LaVern Lorbiecki; Jane's parents and stepfather, Eugene Hardy, Renata (Gehrke) Hardy Vandenberg, and Herb Vandenberg; brother-in-law Eugene "Gene" King and sister-in-law Constance "Connie" (Curtis) Wiegert.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH – ST. MARY CHURCH (119 W. 7 ^th Street, Kaukauna) beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Donald Everts officiating.  Military honors, conducted by the Kaukauna V.F.W. Post 3319 and American Legion Post 40, will immediately follow.  Committal will take place at St. Mary Cemetery, Kaukauna.  A memorial is being established. To sign the guestbook, please visit oconnellfh.com.

The family appreciates the excellent care Gene received from the VA Clinic over the years and would also like to thank the ThedaCare at Home Nursing and Hospice teams for their care and support during Gene's brief battle with pancreatic cancer.