Eugene LaVern Ableidinger, 86, of Eau Claire, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Eau Claire Hospital. Gene was born on June 28, 1928, a son of LaVern and Lucille (Kothbauer) Ableidinger in Eau Galle, WI. Gene attended Sacred Heart School, Lima, and Durand WI, where he graduated from High School in 1946. Immediately following graduation, Gene enlisted in the Army Air Force. After being honorably discharged, he continued to serve his country in the Air Force Reserve until his retirement in 1969. Following his time in the service Gene started in the grocery business, first at Mondovi and then managed a farmers store in Whitehall, WI. From there he went on to work in Rochester, MN, La Crosse, WI, and later to Minneapolis, MN, where he worked for National Foods. In 1969, he became a sales manager for Nash-Finch Wholesale Foods in Cedar Rapids, IA and remained there until his retirement. In 1952, Gene married Louise Bautch in Whitehall, WI and together they had three children. Louise died in June of 1986, and Gene later married Rosella (Berger) Schulner on August 29, 1998, and moved to Eau Claire. Gene was always an avid fisherman and has enjoyed these past years at the cottage, Island Lake, and New Auburn. He also has spent many hours mowing lawns and doing yard work, plus just being a general fix-it man. Gene has been a faithful member of St. Olaf Catholic Parish in Eau Claire, and prior to that a member at St. Jude in Cedar Rapids, IA. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus John F. Kennedy Council #1257, and the Bishop Fulton J. Sheen General Assembly – 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Gene also was a member of TREA, an organization for retired enlisted military in Eau Claire. He is survived by his wife, Rosella Schulner; two children, Jay (Donna) Ableidinger of Littleton, CO, and Jill Johnston of Cedar Rapids, IA; three step-sons, Dan (Gail) Schulner, Thomas (Cindy) Schulner and Brian (Karen) Schulner; three sisters, Bonnie Franzwa, Sandra (Ivan) Haines, and Carol (John) Welsh; brother-in-law, Don Berger; and four sisters-in-law, Jeanette Ableidinger, Hazel Berger, Jeanne (Giles) Skroch, and Pat (Don) Bignell. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; son, Peter; first wife, Louise; and a brother, Dennis Ableidinger. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2014, at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 3220 Monroe St. in Eau Claire with Father Lawrence Berger officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, IA. Military Rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post #53 immediately following the Mass.

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