Eugene "Gene" N. Wyro, Kaukauna, age 78, passed away unexpectedly Saturday October 19, 2013, in Wausau, with his family by his side. He was born in Kaukauna on August 13, 1935 to the late Arthur "Pat" and Alma (Joosten) Wyro and graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1955. Gene was a Coast Guard Veteran, serving from 1955-1959. He married Patricia VandenBoom on October 8, 1960 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Little Chute.

Gene was an avid outdoorsman and a lifetime member of Plum Creek Ducks Unlimited and Dave's Musky Club. He was a self employed appliance repair man in Kaukauna before realizing his dream and retiring to his cottage on Roberts Lake. Gene loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, working in his yard and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Together, he and Pat enjoyed attending Packer parties and getting together with their friends on the lake.

Gene is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia; children: Cindy (Keith) Hietpas, Town of Ellington; Sandy (Brian) Daul, Freedom; Mark (Holly), Wrightstown; and Rick (Michele Hoffman), Kaukauna. He is also survived by a very close family friend Andy (Laurie) Eiting, Kaukauna, who the family considers the "favorite adopted son"; grandchildren: Ryan (Jessica), Eric (Jessalynn) and Adam (Crysta) Hietpas, Shauna (Matt Locasha) and Travis Daul, Keanna, Abigail, Emily, Elliot and Alex Wyro; great grandchildren: Ethan, Everett, Hailey and Reid Hietpas; Godchildren: Patrick Nieuwenhuis, Sarah "Sal" Ebben, Sam Pritzl and Brad Diedrich; sister: Donna (Melvin "Bud") Nieuwenhuis; and brothers-in-law: Gordon (Delores) Diedrich, Ken (Jo Ann) Diedrick and Lee Pritzl. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his granddaughter Aubrey Wyro; father and mother-in-law Les and Virl (Alger) Diedrick; and sister-in-law Margaret "Maggie" Pritzl.

Visitation will be held Friday October 25, 2013 at HOLY CROSS PARISH (309 Desnoyer St. Kaukauna) beginning at 1:00 p.m. until time of Mass at 4:00 p.m. The Rev. Msgr. James Vanden Hogen will officiate. Military rites conducted by the William Verhagen American Legion Post 60 will immediately follow. To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.

The family would like to thank the ER staff at Aspirus Langlade Hospital and the ER and ICU staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their warm tender care in our father's last hours.

A special thank you to John and Pam McCulloch and Bob Knack for their quick response and being there for mom. Our family is indebted to all of you for the actions you took, giving us all the opportunity to say our last goodbye to our Dad.