Eugene Woller Obituary – Mt. Horeb Eugene Kurth Woller, 76, of Mount Horeb, Wis., died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, while enjoying Christmas with his son’s family in Salt Lake City, Utah. He trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation and anxiously anticipated heaven’s joy. Leonard and Mildred (Wendt) Woller had Eugene in Merrill, Wisconsin, on June 24, 1946. Trinity Lutheran Church, Berlin, baptized and confirmed Eugene. On his family farm, he learned to love the outdoors and work hard.
He attended Monroe Grade School and Naugart, a one-room schoolhouse. Wrestling, Future Farmers of America, and Wausau (East) High School, he graduated in 1964. Beekeeping became his lifetime passion after graduating from a UW-Madison Farm Short Course. Eugene married Donna Mae Sturm, his high school sweetheart and lifelong love, on August 12, 1967, at Grace Lutheran Church (WELS), Village of Maine.
They started their life in Madison. They founded St. Andrew Lutheran Church (WELS) in Middleton, Wis., almost 50 years ago. Eugene served as a church Elder in other ways. Eugene and Donna kept bees as a hobby while supporting their family. Eugene sold honey and enthralled consumers at the Dane County Farmer’s Market for over 50 years. His dedication and knowledge influenced many beekeepers. Eugene and Donna enjoyed selling Gentle Breeze Honey to Tim and Cathy to retire. Eugene and Donna explored the US, Colombia, Australia, Europe, Brazil, Kenya, and China.
DuWayne Zamzow led a 2014 family heritage tour. They visited people they loved in all of these places and made many new friends along the way. Eugene is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Donna, of Mount Horeb. Their marriage has been blessed by three children and nine grandchildren: Dr. Scott (Patricia) Woller of Salt Lake City, and their children, Isabela and Gunnar; Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy (Cathy) Woller of Mount Horeb, and their children, Spencer (Kayla), Stuart (Reilly), Raymond, and Christopher; Dr. Tamara Woller-Li (Dr. Richard Li) of Naperville, Ill., and their children, Nyah, Jaden, and Makaelynn; brother, Denvert Woller; sisters, Janet Hanke, Joyce Plaza and Margaret (Tom) Becker; brother-in-law, Rev. Harold (Donna) Sturm); sister-in-law, Jalaine Woller; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Mildred Woller; in-laws, Harry and Hilda Sturm; brothers, Kenneth and Gordon; a sister; Beatrice Marquardt; brothers-in-law, Lyle Marquardt, Vern Hanke, Norm Plaza, and Earl Woller; and sisters-in-law, Elida and Patsy Woller. Eugene’s legacy is profound and inspiring. The enduring Christ-centered foundation that he laid for his family blessed every life that he touched – a spirit of generosity, full of kindness and respect for others, quick to listen, serve and give.
He enjoyed making everyone feel important, and we will miss his elfin grin and the twinkle in his eye! He was forward-thinking, optimistic, uncomplaining, and a one-of-a-kind. You might have heard Eugene say, “Since getting into beekeeping, I haven’t worked a day in my life,” and his grandchildren will fondly recall being beaten at cribbage or Euchre and bantering with “Hoya-Hoya Man!” In Eugene’s honor, we reflect on 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” A Funeral Service of Christian Burial will be celebrated at ST. ANDREW EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 6815 Schneider Road, Middleton, Wis., at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, with Pastor Randy Hunter, officiating. A light dinner will follow. Visitation will be held at the church from 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Village of Maine, Merrill, Wis., with a private family ceremony. Pallbearers will be Eugene’s grandsons, Spencer, Stuart, Raymond, Gunnar, Christopher, and Jaden. Granddaughters, Isabela, Nyah, and Makaelynn, are honorary pallbearers.