Eugene Harold Wisland, 83, died  Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2008 at St. Camillus Health Care Center in Wauwatosa, Wis.,  following a brief illness.

Eugene was born Apr. 15, 1924 in Caledonia, Minn. to Henry and Josephine (Longville) Wisland.  He was a  graduate of Caledonia H.S. and attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. He was married to Helene Ruth Ferris of La Crosse, Wis. on Sept. 27,  1948 until her death on Dec. 20, 1976.  Together they raised three children and were lifelong residents of Oconomowoc, Wis. 

“Geno” was a railroad engineer for the Milwaukee Road /Soo Line for over 20 years. He was among a handful of engineers who had started on steam locomotives and was delighted to have had the privilege of driving  the Baraboo Circus train to Milwaukee with its many ‘fans’ along the route. He was a member and elected representative of the United Transportation Union, retiring from the railroad in 1987.

Eugene married “Beth”  Maryetta  (Gordon) Butcher  on Dec. 26, 1984.

He is survived by his wife Beth; children:  Cathi M. Wisland, Jackson, Wis.;  Mark C. Wisland, Milwaukee, Wis.; and Lysa (Paul) Newman, Madison, Wis.; three grandchildren;  five stepchildren:  Dorrit Deihl, Diane Butcher, Deborah Wakefield, Gerrit deGelleke, Noel McCormick, and numerous step grandchildren. He is further survived by  sisters,  Elsie May Palen, Caledonia; and Marian Joan Mitchell, El Paso, Texas.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Helene;  brothers-in-law Victor J. Palen, of Caledonia; Wilfred F. Kimpell, Austin, Minn.;  and  Arthur D. Mitchell, Fort Collins, Colorado.  

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at  11 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 31, in the Guardian Angel Chapel at  St. Camillus Health Care Center, immediately followed by a reception in the atrium.

Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral  Services of Wauwatosa, Wis. is serving  the family.