Eugene "Gene" R. Frei

Eugene “Gene” R. Frei, age 96, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026 at Agrace Hospice in Madison, Wisconsin. Eugene was born August 26, 1929 in Green Lake, Wisconsin to Albert and Ida (Seliger) Frei.

He graduated from Waupun High School in 1949 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served in Okinawa during the Korean conflict where he was a mechanic. He also coached the women’s air force softball team which allowed him to travel to many Pacific Islands. In 1954 he completed his military service and joined Hutter Construction Company. He was an estimator and construction manager for 10 years supervising, designing and planning many hospitals, schools and nursing homes. In 1964 he joined Sisters of Saint Agnes of Fond du Lac. He managed the maintenance and construction of numerous construction projects for Saint Agnes Hospital and Marion College. He was the president of the Wisconsin Hospital Engineers Association, on the building committee for the YMCA and part of numerous additions to Hope Lutheran Church. He retired from Saint Agnes Hospital in 1994.

On August 18, 1956 he married Joyce K. Stelsel at Alto Reformed Church. They celebrated 67 years of marriage, raising four sons while instilling strong values of faith and family. He was active at Hope Lutheran Church for over 50 years. In addition, he found time to coach his boy’s baseball and basketball teams and was a Boy Scout leader for his sons. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing with his family and friends.

After retirement, his faith and family continued to be the focal point of his life. Gene was always eager to help with projects at his son’s homes, a cabin at Spring Green and a home on Kusel Lake. Hunting was a passion of his into his mid 80’s. He and Joyce traveled extensively visiting all 50 states, Europe and the Caribbean. For many years they spent Spring time enjoying the warmth of Arizona and visiting Kurt and Tracy’s home in Nevada. He spent a lot of time with grandchildren passing along his love of hunting, the outdoors and watching them participate in high school athletics. In letters that he wrote to his grandchildren he expressed how thankful he was for God's blessings.

In recent years he and Joyce lived in Sun Prairie where they attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He enjoyed hearing the latest news about his children and grandchildren. He looked forward to shopping trips to Walmart and he acquired a love for Culvers strawberry milkshakes. Even when his memory was failing, he took great solace in reciting The Lord’s Prayer during family visits.

Gene is survived by his four sons, Steven (Jan) Frei of Madison, WI, Kurt (Tracy) Frei of Davidson, North Carolina, Thomas (Beth) Frei of West Bend, WI and Philip (Sandy) Frei of Sun Prairie, WI; nine grandchildren, Seth Frei (Brynn), Ross Frei (Carly), Kimberly Worth (Joe), Ian Coen-Frei (Sarah), Michael Frei (Fiancée Eden Berman), Savannah Frei, Noah Frei (Fiancée Miah Peterson), Cole Frei, and Gabrielle Frei; ten great grandchildren, Noah Frei, Grace Frei, Finley Frei, Lily Frei, Leonora Coen-Frei, Julian Worth, Ezra Frei, Skye Worth, Olive Frei and Sofia Worth. Gene is further survived by brother-in-law Paul Elenius, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Karen Stelsel, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife Joyce Frei, parents Albert Frei and Ida Seeliger, father-in-law and mother-in-law Melvin and Aleita Stelsel, brother-in-law and sister Gerald and Marion Luebke, sister-in- law Audrey Elenius, and great grandson Amos Frei.

The visitation will be held Friday, August, 28, 2026 from 9:00 – 10:00 AM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. The memorial service will follow at 10:00 AM on Friday, officiated by Rev. Rod Serbus and Rev. Ian Coen-Frei (Grandson). Interment will follow at Ledgeview Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association.

In addition, we’d like to give our heartfelt appreciation to the entire staff at Sun Prairie Senior Living, Waunakee Valley Senior Living and Agrace Hospice for the loving care they gave Gene, and our family.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com