Eugene A. Erlauer

Eugene Erlauer, of Port Washington, passed away in the evening hours of Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton. He was 87 years old.  

Gene was born in Milwaukee on April 14, 1933, the son of Ernst Erlauer and Theresa Genzinger Erlauer.  

After high school, he served his country during the Korean War with the U.S. Navy.  On Sept. 1, 1957, he married Marjorie Fairbanks at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church in Big Elbow Lake, Minn.

From Milwaukee, the couple moved to the Port Washington area to raise their family. Gene worked in materials management for Ameritech until he retired.

He belonged to St. John XXIII Parish (St. Peter of Alcantara) in Port Washington, where he was active in the St. Peter’s Men’s Club and the Senior Choir. He really enjoyed working with the Men’s Club’s fish fries and Fish Day event.

Gene had a passion for treasure hunting with his metal detector, and for many years he belonged to the Wisconsin Association of Treasure Hunters Club. He was known to find lost valuables and return them to their owners.   

Gene really enjoyed gathering with family and friends, cooking, gardening, tinkering, and in his younger years, bowling and playing baseball. He was known for his humor and big smile. He taught a lot of life lessons to many. He loved telling stories of his younger years, which at times were quite comical. He was a Godly man with a huge heart.

Gene is survived by his wife Marjorie (the love of his life of 63 years) of Port Washington; four children, Anthony (Christine) Erlauer of the Town of Port Washington, James (Ann) Erlauer of Cedarburg, Debra (Michael) Bendt of Port Washington and Corrine (Chad) Johnson of Sparta. He is further survived by 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Frank Erlauer and sister Elizabeth Hart.

A private Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 27, at St. John XXIII Parish, St. Peter of Alcantara Church, Port Washington. Father Patrick Wendt will preside over the Mass.  

Gene will be laid to rest with military honors at St. Mary’s Mausoleum in Port Washington. A celebration of his life event will take place in the summer of 2021.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the St. John XXIII Men’s Club or the American Cancer Society.

Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.