Eugene A. Bagniewski

Eugene Anthony Bagniewski, Sr., age 92, of Fountain City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at Winona Health surrounded by his family. He was born on June 1, 1923 in Buffalo County, WI, to John and Marie (Balzer) Bagniewski on the home farm in the town of Milton in Eagle Valley. Eugene attended Fairview School for 4 years and then went on to Saint Mary's Catholic School through the 9th grade, and graduated in 1941 at Fountain City High School. His first job was at a pea cannery in Fox Lake, WI. He then worked at the Fountain City Creamery in Fountain City and the Glove Factory in Winona, MN. He then went onto work as a farm hand for several years until he started farming on his own in 1946. On May 1st, 1946, he married Lucille Larson at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waumandee, WI. Eugene was very proud to celebrate 70 years of marriage to Lucille; which was celebrated with a mass and lovely gathering just days before his passing. They farmed for nine years in the town of Montana, and then sold the farm and moved to a farm near Fountain City, where they resided until 1991 and built a new home on the farm in 1965. In 1981, they moved off the home farm and built a new home on the prairie, where they resided for 35 years. In 1991, he sold the farm to his son; however, this did not stop him from going to the farm each day to help out, which he did for many years. Eugene loved farming and all of the challenges and rewards it brought to him and his family. One of his joys was going to many farm auctions, even after retiring from farming. Eugene was very proud of his family, some of his best joys of his life were spending time with his wife, Lucille, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as he watched his family grow to over 50 and seeing them all come together at various celebrations. Eugene was very active in church affairs, as he served mass for more than 48 years. He was an usher for 40 years, and helped out at funerals. Eugene was the first Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary's Church in Fountain City and continued to do this for 45 years. He belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters and also the Holy Name Society. He has been a member of the Farmers Union and Farm Bureau, which he was a director for 30 years. Eugene was also a very active bowler for more than 30 years and was on many championship teams including Czech Oil. He was a member of the Fountain City Lions, a charter member of the Historical Society in Fountain City, being a life member, and was on the ASC Committee, serving as chairman of the county committee for 2 years. He was active in managed forestland, and a life member in the Alumni Society from high school. Eugene and Lucille did much traveling, with one of their fondest memories being their three week trip to Europe, where they visited many places including Dackow. They took many vacations, including bus trips, traveling to almost every state. Eugene is lovingly survived by his wife, Lucille, of 70 years, children Eugene (Diane Kupietz); Diane Ristau; Richard (Shelley Scott); Jeff (Pamela Cox); Deb Sing (Rob Merchlewitz); Karen (Chris) Ellis; Mary Jo (Ken) Kottmann; daughter-in-law Edith Bagniewski; 20 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Gerald; grandsons Jason Ristau, Aaron Bagniewski, Joe Gillett; three brothers: Roman, Alois and Raymond; three sisters: Mary, Alice Wollman and Margaret Wera; and son-in-law Steve Sing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fountain City at 11:00 a.m. with Father Brian Jazdzewski presiding. Eugene will be laid to rest at the parish cemetery. A visitation will be held on Monday, May 9, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church beginning with a rosary at 3:45 and continuing until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Pallbearers will be Eugene's grandsons and honorary pallbearers are Eugene's granddaughters.