Eugene R. "Gene' Roell

Eugene R. “Gene” Roell, 83, of West Bend, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the Waterford in West Bend with his family at his side.

Gene was born on June 29, 1940, in West Bend, the son of the late Milton and Ella (nee Koch) Roell. On July 9, 1960, he was united in marriage to Mary Roell in West Bend. Mary preceded Gene in death on July 13, 2019. Gene’s life was a tapestry woven with simple pleasures and steadfast routines. His days unfolded against the backdrop of West Bend, where he frequented Dicks Tap with his wife, savoring the camaraderie and the clink of glasses. On warm afternoons, he’d retreat to his back porch, an observer of life’s passing parade—cars gliding by, each with its own story etched in exhaust fumes and tire tracks. Friday nights were sacred—a tradition carved in golden beer foam and crispy fish batter. At No No’s, Gene’s family gathered around wooden tables, laughter mingling with the aroma of fried fish. For 43 years, Gene’s hands toiled at Gehl Company, a testament to loyalty and craftsmanship. Amid the hum of machinery, he shaped metal into purpose, each weld a silent promise to provide for those he loved. But it wasn’t all work and routine. Gene’s heart raced when the checkered flag dropped. NASCAR—a symphony of roaring engines and daring maneuvers—captivated him. Dale Earnhardt, the Intimidator, was his hero. Gene cheered from his living room, the TV screen a portal to speed and adrenaline. Then there were the Canadian fishing trips—a pilgrimage of rods, reels, and tall tales. With brothers and brothers-in-law, he cast lines into pristine lakes, chasing elusive trout and walleye. The sun painted their boat, and laughter echoed across water as they swapped stories of the ones that got away. And the garden—Gene’s canvas of soil and sunlight. He’d pore over seed catalogs, eyes tracing the promise of giant pumpkins and colossal zucchinis. Each spring, he’d plant those seeds, coaxing life from the earth. His vegetables grew—monstrous and proud—proof that patience and care could yield abundance.

Gene’s legacy wasn’t etched in headlines or record books. It bloomed in the quiet moments—the clink of glasses, the roar of engines, the taste of fried fish. His life, like the vegetables he nurtured, reached for the sky, rooted in the ordinary yet extraordinary soil of West Bend. And so, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows on his porch, Gene would sit, content. The cars still passed, the beer still flowed, and the memories—like seeds planted deep—blossomed into stories that would outlast the seasons. Above all else he loved all his family, grandkids, and great grandson.

Those Gene leaves behind to cherish his memory include a son, Jeff (Shelly) Roell; two grandchildren, Sydney Roell and Tyler Roell; a great grandson, Greyson Roell; four brothers, Bobby Roell, Donald (Dee) Roell, David Roell, and Jack Roell; two brothers-in-law, Paul (Bev) Hensler and Tom (Karen) Hensler; a sister-in-law, Paula Hensler; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by two sisters, Marian Roell and Margaret Roell; sisters-in-law, Patricia Hensler, Mary Roell, Maddie Roell, and Jan Roell; two brothers-in-law, Ed Heizle and Bob Hensler.

VISTIATION: Gene’s family will greet relatives and friends at Myrhum – Patten Funeral & Cremation Service, 1315 W. Washington Street, in West Bend on Monday, March 4, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m.

SERVICE: A service for Gene will be held on Monday at the funeral home at 6:00 p.m. with Deacon Mark Jansen officiating.

The Myrhum – Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Gene’s arrangements. Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.