Gene R. Gauthier

Gene R. Gauthier, age 86, passed away peacefully at Aurora Medical Center on Thursday, September 16, 2021. He was born to the late Walter and Dorothy (Smits) Gauthier in De Pere, WI on September 28, 1934. After attending St. Mary’s Grade School and St. Norbert’s High School, Gene obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1957. As part of his college training, Gene worked several summers at Brillion Iron Works in Brillion, WI. It was here that he met his wife to be, Mary Huiting, of Reedsville, WI. They were married soon after Gene’s graduation and started their lives together in Danville, IL, where Gene had accepted a position with Central Foundry Division of General Motors. After several promotions at the Danville Plant, Gene was promoted to Central Office, then to the position of Chief Metallurgist at the very large Malleable Foundry Operation at Saginaw, MI, Michigan’s Central Foundry. In 1973, Gene left General Motors to continue his foundry career outside of G.M. as VP of Manufacturing, Dalton Foundry in Warsaw, IN; Plant Manager, CBO Foundry, Decatur, IL; and VP of MFG Services, Universal Foundry, Oshkosh, WI.
Gene was very much a die-hard Packer fan. He also followed the Brewers and Bucks very closely. He also loved to fish and got his boat out onto the Winnebago Lake System as often as he could while he was still able. Gene and Mary also enjoyed putting in a vegetable garden each year, and over the years sharing their good results with family, friends, and neighbors. He was an accomplished piano player and a whiz at making puzzles. He enjoyed volunteering at St. Raphael’s, especially the funeral luncheons, fish fries and wherever else he was needed.
Gene is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; children, Mark (Terri), Daniel (Linda), and Michelle Gauthier; grandchildren, Gareth, Gregory, Benjamin, Philip, Amanda, and Alexander; as well as his great grandchildren, Xavier, Pierce, Grace, Sofia, Jordin, and Daisy. Gene is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Utschig, and Rita (John) Drewieske; and brother-in-law, Robert Huiting. Gene was preceded in death by his sister, Joan (Russell) Matzke; brother-in-law, Leroy Utschig; father and mother-in-law Joseph and Marie Huiting; sister-in-law, Elaine Linsmeier and Shirley Huiting; and special aunt, Agnes Smits.
A Funeral Service for Gene will be held at St Raphael’s Parish on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 11AM. A visitation will be held from 10AM until the time of service. A burial will take place at St Mary’s Cemetery in Reedsville.