Eugene Donovan Leise

RED WING, Minn.— Eugene Donovan Leise, 87, died Feb. 18, 2022, in Red Wing, Minn.

Mass of Resurrection will be 11 a.m., April 8, 2022, at the Church of St. Joseph, Red Wing.

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., April 7, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, and at the church one hour prior to the service.

Gene was born Dec. 31, 1934, in Hartington, to Joseph W. Leise and Agatha Marie (Becker) Leise. Gene grew up on the family farm just outside of Hartington and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1952. After high school, Gene attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., for two years before enlisting in the Army. Gene was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., for two years. After leaving the army, Gene completed his degree at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 1959.

Following graduation, Gene rekindled a romance with a high school classmate from Hartington, Jeannette “Jean” Frances Arens. Jean and Gene were married Nov. 25, 1961, in Hartington, and lived in Omaha, where Gene had taken a position at Western Electric. In 1963, Gene accepted a position with Jostens, Inc., and relocated to Owatonna, Minn. Gene remained with Jostens the rest of his working career, relocating to Telford, Pa., in 1967, and then to Red Wing in 1977, where he stayed.

Gene loved living in Red Wing and was very involved in a number of organizations in the community including, St. Joseph’s Church, the Red Wing Country Club, the Elks Club, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Red Wing Ambassadors, Philosopher’s Club, and the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center. After retiring from Jostens in 1993, Gene and Jean enjoyed many interests including traveling, golfing, boating, and spending time with family and friends. Gene is survived by his five children, Ann (Steve) Fonfara, Philip

Gene is survived by his five children, Ann (Steve) Fonfara, Philip (Heidi) Leise, Carla (Brett) Carver, Jim (Michelle) Leise, and Joe (Jody) Leise; and 12 grandchildren, Christi, Matt, and Kat Fonfara; Noah and Julia Leise; Brooks and Siena Carver; Elise, Jonah, and Reyana Leise; and Jackson and Jedrek Leise; two sisters-in-law, Jolene (Becker) Leise and Charlotte (Brummer) Leise, both of Hartington; and two brothers-in-law, Gerald Arens, Hartington, and James Hall, Kennewick, Wash.

Gene was predeceased in death by his parents; his wife, Jean, in 2017; his older brothers, Harold and Ralph Leise; and his two older sisters, Elaine Leise and Monica (Mona) Loberg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of St. Joseph or the Alzheimer’s Association.