Eugene John “Gene” Walsh

Eugene John “Gene” Walsh, age 95, of Monona passed away on Aug. 11, 2024, at St Mary’s Care Center in Madison, Wis.

Gene was born on March 14, 1929, in Port Washington, Wis., the son of Frank “Hugo” Walsh and Harriet Agnes Link Walsh.

Gene attended St. Mary’s School in Port Washington through 10th grade, then transferred to Port Washington High School, where he met Jeanette, his future wife.

After graduation in 1947, Gene joined the Holloway Plan and attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. He graduated in June 1951 with degrees in accounting and business.

Gene married Jeanette Rose Reiter on June 16, 1951, at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake Church, Wis. Their daughter Sharon Ann was born on June 30, 1953, and Kim Marie was born on April 16, 1960.

Gene joined the U.S. Navy in June 1951 and proudly served as a gunnery officer aboard the USS St. Paul during the Korean War. He later transferred to the Naval Security Group, where he served in naval communications intelligence and cryptography at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., and later at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland. He resigned from active duty in September 1955 but remained a lifelong member of the Belgium American Legion and the VFW.

He began medical school at the Marquette University School of Medicine, graduating in 1959. He completed his internship at Misericordia Hospital in Milwaukee. He then joined his brother Dr. Leroy Walsh in a general medical practice located in Madison, Wis., and later expanded to DeForest, Wis.

After 20 years of joint practice, Gene began a solo medical practice with offices in Madison and DeForest. He was beloved by his patients, who called him “Dr. Gene,” and he devoted himself tirelessly to their care. He was “on call” to his patients 24 hours a day.

His medical practice was also a family activity, and over the years Jeanette, Sharon and Kim and numerous other family members all worked with Gene, helping him take care of his patients or bringing him a meal to share when he worked late.

He retired from practice in 1997, but remained interested and involved in medicine and significantly fostered this interest in his family.

Gene is survived by his granddaughter Dr. Anna Caroline Kenan, son-in-law Dr. Daniel Kenan, special nieces and nephews Karen, Sandy, Mike, Lisa, Randy and Lori and additional nieces and nephews that kept him in their prayers as well as numerous other family members.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife of 65 years, Jeanette Walsh, his daughters Sharon and Kim Walsh, his grandson Alexander Eugene Kenan, his brother Dr. Leroy G. Walsh and his stepmother Laura Roelse Walsh.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, Wis., with visitation from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and a Catholic Mass at 11 a.m. with Father Chad Droessler and Monsignor Ray Kertz presiding. Military honors and then a luncheon in the church fellowship hall will follow.

Burial will be held on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, at St Mary’s Cemetery, Port Washington, Wis., at 10 a.m.

Gene held a lifelong love of St Mary’s Church in Port Washington, Wis., and he and his family were members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Monona, Wis.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Church in Port Washington, Wis., or the Immaculate Heart of Mary Capital Fund.

Treasured family memories of Gene include his immense love of his immediate and extended family, his loyalty to his patients, his ongoing connection to his many recent and lifelong friends and co-workers, his Catholic faith, his pride in his naval service to his country and his love of good food, especially his appreciation of any dessert.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison

(608) 249-6666

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.