Eugene G Harnitz

Eugene “Gene” Harnitz, age 82, passed away after his long battle with Parkinson’s disease on Tuesday, October 16, 2018. He was born the son of the late William and Cecelia (Thoma) Harnitz. He graduated from high school in 1954 and joined the Army after graduation. He was in the service from 1954-1957 and 18 months in Korea. When he got out of the service, he worked construction for a while before taking a five year apprenticeship for plumbing. He would join the union and be a member for over 50 years. He worked for Zentner plumbing. Gene had a beautiful whistle; he would often whistle while he worked and was once asked to whistle in a band that a professor was in. Gene was a Christian man and always said when people hired him; they got two because God was working with him. He always had a project; he made his own lists and when he would finish crossing one off, he would start another. He was always building something for someone; all he needed was an idea and some measurements. He really enjoyed building things for his church, All Saints Lutheran. Gene married the love of his life, Carol Pettit, on June 12, 1959. Together they have two children. Gene had a passion for hunting and fishing, especially fishing. He smoked his own fish in a big all stainless steel smoke house he built himself; even the hooks were stainless! Gene would always say that he would talk to God when he was sitting in his tree stand.
Gene is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Steve (Renee) Harnitz, and Gail (Ted Taylor) Debehnke; four grandchildren, Amanda (Dave) Izquerido, Bruce (Shannon) Harnitz, Krista (Drew) Attana, Tyler (Emma) Debehnke; five great-grandchildren, Dexter, Alexandra, and Olivia Izquerido, and Ariana and Vienna Harnitz; and brother, William (Vivian) Harnitz. He is further survived by his in-laws, Dorothy (Larry) Pfaffenroth, Walter (Shirley), James (Charlotte), Ernest, Thomas (Kathy), Dale (Peggy), John (Ruth) Pettit, and many nieces and nephews.
Gene is preceded in death by two grandchildren, Dexter Ross and Mitchell William Harnitz; sister, Lois (Otto) Manthie; brother-in-law, Seymour Hassler; and sister-in-law, Patricia Pettit.
A service for Gene will be held at All Saints Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11AM. A visitation will be held from 9AM until the time of service. A burial will take place at Lake View Memorial Park. Rev. Dean Desilet will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial may be sent to either WI Parkinson’s Association or to All Saints Lutheran Church.
The family would like to thank the loving and caring staff at Parkview Health Center, especially Mary Ann, Anne, Kim, Lisa, Mary and Jim; and for the round the clock caregivers at home you were a blessing to us and our family.