Eugene James Krouze

Eugene “Gene” James Krouze, age 90, passed away on May 16, 2024, under the care of Friendly Village Nursing Home and Compassus Hospice Services.

Gene was born on August 25, 1933, to Melford and Helen (Kunda) Krouze. He grew up with his brother, Don, in Sugar Camp on Indian Lake and later moved to Rhinelander when his father served as sheriff and his mother cooked at the jail. He always kept his ties to Sugar Camp, enjoying his summers helping at the Lorbetske farm and exploring the woods with his cousin, Bob. Gene graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1951 and during that time, he managed the Majestic Movie Theater for the Rouman family when a movie ticket cost a mere 12 cents. After graduating high school, he attended the Deforest Institute in Chicago, studying electronics. While there, he became good friends with Jack Dempsey, the former heavyweight boxing champion who was affiliated with that school. After graduating from Deforest, he returned to Rhinelander and opened a TV and antenna tower installation business. He married Constance Hein in August 1953 and together they had four children. After suffering a severe injury, Gene went to work at Merchants State Bank and then briefly worked in law enforcement for both the Rhinelander Police Department and Oneida County Sheriff’s Department. Gene began his banking career as a teller at Merchants State Bank in Rhinelander, eventually working his way up through the years to being named President of Northern National Bank.

He was involved in numerous community organizations and served on various state, national, and local boards in the community including St. Mary’s Hospital, Headwaters, United Way, and the Chamber of Commerce. Gene also owned two small businesses in Rhinelander, RhineLaunder Laundromat, and the House of Hair. When Gene retired from banking and business, he split his time between Rhinelander and Port Charlotte, Florida where he had often spent memorable time with family during his younger years.

Gene enjoyed golfing, woodworking, and playing cards.

Gene is survived by his four children: Gene (Candy), Curt (Julie), Renee (Pete) Tenderholt, and Rachelle (Emilio) Ibarra, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a niece, Susan (David) Brownell.

The family would like to thank the staff at Friendly Village Nursing Home for the care provided over the past many years and Compassus Hospice for their guidance and support during dad’s final days.

The visitation for Eugene will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at St. Kunegunda of Poland Catholic Church, located at 6895 Hwy. 17 N. Sugar Camp, from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Memorial Mass.

Fr. Ron Serrao will officiate.

Immediately following the memorial mass Inurnment will take place in the church cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home and Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook, or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.