Wakeman, Willis Eugene "Gene" 1930-2005

WAKEMAN, HANSEN, ROOS

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/6/2017 at 19:59:24

HAWARDEN, Iowa -- Willis Eugene "Gene" Wakeman, 75, of Hawarden died Thursday, July 28, 2005, at Orange City Municipal Hospital in Orange City, Iowa following a brief fight with cancer.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Hawarden Community Church, with the Rev. Doug Baker officiating. Burial will be in Grace Hill Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Post 254 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Hawarden. Visitation will begin at noon Sunday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. followed by visitation with the family until 8:30 p.m., at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden.

Willis Eugene "Gene" Wakeman was born April 14, 1930, in Akron, Iowa, the son of Gilbert and Helen (Hansen) Wakeman. He graduated from Akron High School in 1948. He worked for Hansen Plumbing and Heating, then joined the U.S. Army. He served for two years with training at Fort Riley, Kan., and was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1953. He helped farm with his dad, then worked for Graves Construction, Coilcraft for 25 years. He then worked at Load King for 11 years. After he left Load King, he took care of cattle at his dad's farm near Akron until the fall of 2003, when he retired.

He married Helene Roos on March 11, 1966.

He attended Hawarden Community Church and loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed spending time with his dog, Midnight, and telling lots of stories with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Helene; a daughter and her husband, Pam and Tracy Ericson of Hawarden; his sons and wives, Rick and Mickey of Ireton, Iowa, Roger and Pam of Hawarden, Jerry and Sharon of Akron, Iowa, Bruce of Hawarden and Loren and Theresa of Ireton, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, Marlee, Mason and Abbie, Sara and Molly, Kara, Katie and Kelcie, Rachael, Heather, Mindy and Sandy and Elsie; five stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four great-stepgrandchildren; a sister and her husband, Shirley and Dareld Johnson of Paullina, Iowa; and two nephews, Jeff and Scott and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents.