Eugene was born on April 1, 1935, in Los Angeles, California to Anna (Ann) Maria Barthel and Theodore Brunner. At an early age, his mother was remarried to Anthony (Tony) Fortuna who became his stepfather. Eugene was raised in the Los Angeles area with his older brother, Richard (Dick), where they spent many hours as children exploring underground tunnels, building treetop forts in eucalyptus trees, and visiting the beach. Some of his fondest childhood memories were spent with his Grandma and Grandpa Barthel in Phoenix, Arizona where he helped them in their work as church custodians, played on the grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple where they served as ordinance workers, participated in numerous church activities, and ate ice cream shakes with fresh fruit on the top. To the end of his life, he never stopped loving ice cream, especially fruit shakes. His Grandpa, Wilhelm Frederich Barthel, became one of his personal heroes and he devoted many hours to researching and recording the Barthel line family history. As a teenager Eugene had a lot of fun with his friends hopping freight trains, driving his Ford convertible, and swimming at the beach. He also spent summers with his Aunt Frieda and Uncle Fred in West Jordan, Utah on their farm.
Education was an important focus in Eugene’s young adult life and he put great effort and care into devising plans to fund and achieve his educational goals. At age 19 he enlisted in the military as a way to pay for college. He was stationed in Chateuroux, France during the Korean War for two years before being honorably discharged. He earned his undergraduate degree from BYU where he majored in business and met Karen Kae Stratford who would become the center of his life. After a short trial run in law school at the University of Utah he discovered the legal profession was not for him. He then pursued an MBA at BYU where he thrived. He often talked about how this degree was a pivotal achievement in his life that opened doors for him professionally he never would have otherwise had.
On January 4, 1962, Eugene married his sweetheart, Karen Kae Stratford, in the Idaho Falls, Idaho temple. Together they raised four children and eventually settled in Salt Lake City, UT in 1971 in the same home he resided in through the remainder of his life.
Eugene was an energetic, driven, and natural leader who often rose to leadership positions in his professional endeavors. This started at a young age when he became the foreman at a polyethylene company while in high school to his final business venture as the owner of a successful commercial real estate company that he founded with his dear friend, Richard (Dick) Klein. He took his role as provider very seriously and created a comfortable and secure environment for his family.
Eugene had a strong and vibrant testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in a variety of callings including Young Men’s President, Bishop, High Priest Group Leader, and 1st Counselor in the Stake Presidency. His membership in the church and associated beliefs served as the central guide and anchor throughout his life.
Eugene was a devoted husband and father who felt great joy in his family whom he referred to as “one of the greatest families on earth”. He was especially devoted to his wife, Karen, whom he loved with all his heart and whom he served fervently through his final days.
Eugene is preceded in death by his mother, Ann Fortuna; father, Theodore Brunner; stepfather, Tony Fortuna; and brother, Dick Fortuna. He is survived by his wife, Karen Kae Fortuna, and his four children: Scott (Barbara) Fortuna of Cottonwood Heights, Utah; Randy (Julie) Fortuna of Loma Linda, California; Julie (Kevin) Peaslee of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Heather (Michael) Fortuna Bush of Stuttgart, Germany. His posterity includes 17 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Parley’s 5th Ward (2615 East Stringham Ave, SLC, UT 84106) on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 12:00 pm. Friends may call from 6:00 pm to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park (3401 South Highland Drive, SLC, UT, 84106). Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
