Eugene Theodore Klug

He was born on January 19, 1934 in Juneau, Wisconsin to Walter A. and Viola (Benninger) Klug. He was the seventh of eleven children. He graduated from Juneau High School in 1952 and joined the Army where he was stationed in West Germany. After his discharge, he attended trade school and joined Cummins Diesel in Milwaukee as an engine mechanic. He later worked for Saunders Leasing Company in Racine, Wisconsin. In the early 1970’s he became Branch Manager for one of Saunder’s largest accounts located in Foreman, Arkansas. He later worked in Shreveport, Louisiana and retired in 1996 from the Ryder Leasing location in Conway, Arkansas. As Gene’s career advanced from mechanic to managerial roles, he was often frustrated that his tools could not fix “people problems” like they could his engines.

In 1959, he married the love of his life, Margaret Ann Friedel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They had three children, Dean, Kathy, and Jim. The five of them enjoyed annual family vacations camping or driving in the station wagon around the United States. They shared Saturday nights watching TV and eating chip dip, and enjoyed donuts or Kringle after Mass on Sunday. There were many weekends spent in Juneau or Fond du Lac, visiting with parents, siblings, nieces and nephews.

Gene was a dedicated and loving son, brother, father, grandfather, and uncle. As a young boy, he made sure that his mother had plenty of split wood to keep the family stove lit. He loved working on the trucks at the Dodge County equipment shop where his father served as County Highway Commissioner as well as helping with the snowplows during the long Wisconsin winters.

It was during this time that he developed his love for tools and fixing anything from bicycles to motor engines. Gene was known by family and friends alike as the guy to call when something needed to be repaired. He always had his tools with him, ready to go.

In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren including taking them fishing and swimming, reading books with them, and holding “Camp Conway” weeks where the kids were able to bake cookies, help him change the oil in the car, and go to the church flea market to “shop” for “treasures” that were always appreciated by their parents.

Gene was a fantastic griller. His favorites were steak on Saturdays and chicken on Sundays, providing Margaret Ann with a much-appreciated break from family meal planning. He was also a talented mixologist. In his last years, Gene enjoyed lots of tartar sauce with his catfish on Fridays, Cokes, bacon, and his nightly glass of “chocolate” (aka Bailey’s Irish Crème). He was an avid watcher of “The Rifleman”, “Blue Bloods”, all World War II movies and documentaries, and “Wheel of Fortune”.

Gene is survived by his son, Dean Klug (Glennie) of Memphis, Tennessee and their children, Ted Klug (Mary) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jack Klug of Austin, TX, Barry Klug of Memphis; daughter, Kathy Klug of Bartlett TN; daughter-in-law, Tricia Klug and her children, Thomas Klug (Haley), Daniel Klug (Jessica), Mary Klug, Anna Klug, Leo Klug, and David Klug, all of Johnson City, Tennessee, and Joseph Klug of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; one great granddaughter, Evy; his siblings Ruth (Ronnie) Rahn of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Anna (Craig) Zwygart of West Bend, Wisconsin and Paul (Betty) Klug of Lake Mills, Wisconsin; nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ann; son, Jim Klug; his parents; siblings Earl Klug, Doris Marohl, Roland Klug, Helen Nommensen, Louise Kurtz, Geraldine Giese, Verna Ayers; and sister-in-law, Arbutus (Boots) Pillsbury.

Visitation for Eugene will be held Friday, December 29 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119.

There will be a final viewing on Saturday, December 30 at 10:00 AM with a Rosary Service at 10:30 AM, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 411 N Missouri St, West Memphis, AR 72301. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Eugene Klug's memory to St.

Michael Catholic Church, 411 N Missouri St, West Memphis, AR 72301 or the charity of your choice.