Gene Fredric Wiebusch

GENE FREDRIC WIEBUSCH, age 86 of Janesville, passed away at his home surrounded by family on the evening of Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Gene was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin on October 8, 1936 to parents Wesley and Ella Mae (Rill) Wiebusch.  He graduated from high school in Lake City, Minnesota before continuing his education at Mankato State University where he studied to become an educator.  Gene was an incredibly talented athlete with a storied career that eventually lead to his induction into the hall of fame in Lake City, at Mankato State University, and at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP).  On August 16, 1958, Gene was married to Joyce Mae Olin at the Lake City United Methodist Church.  They made their home in Janesville where they raised their family.  He was a beloved teacher and coach in Janesville from 1960 until 1997.  During that time he impacted countless students’ lives by teaching driver’s ed, industrial arts, life science, and geography.  Gene and Joyce enjoyed traveling and visited all fifty states as well as Russia, Bahamas, New Zealand, North Africa, the Panama Canal, as well as many European countries.  During his free time, Gene enjoyed playing golf, wood carving and wood burning, working on his beautiful back yard, and spending time with his family and friends.  He was a former president of Rotary International in Janesville, was a long-time member of the Janesville United Methodist Church, and a founding member of the JWP Hall of Fame.

Gene is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Joyce Wiebusch of Janesville; three children, Adair (Brett) Ballavance of Duluth, Brent (Cinthia) Wiebusch of Eau Claire, and Corey (Cinde) of St. Peter; nine grandchildren, Kelsey, Trent, Trey, Tyler, Lukas, Keara, Ella, Sienna, and Josie; four great-grandchildren, Marley, Halvor, Lucy, and Sebastian, with one more on the way; and one brother, Jerry (Rosalie) Wiebusch of Louisville, KY.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents; two brothers, Richard Wiebusch and Jon Wiebusch; a grandson, Brock Ballavance; a sister-in-law, Jean Heidenreich; a daughter-in-law, Laurie Wiebusch; and his parents-in-law, John and Verma Olin.

In lieu of flowers for Gene’s upcoming services, memorial donations may be directed to the Gene Wiebusch Scholarship fund, which will be established in the coming weeks.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at the Janesville United Methodist Church, and will continue for one hour before the service at JWP High School on Sunday.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at JWP High School in Janesville, with Rev. Kathy King officiating.  A private family interment will take place at Lakewood Cemetery in Lake City, MN.