Eugene "Gene" Ennis, age 91 of Beaver Dam, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at home with family by his side.

Gene was born on September 8, 1933 in Hillsboro, WI, the son of Norvin and Lucille (Conway) Ennis but spent most of his youth in Baraboo. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School (he fondly called it "Sister School") and graduated from Baraboo High School with the Class of 1951. He then attended UW-Madison. He served 2 years in the U.S. Army stationed in Seoul, Korea where he was attached to a medical corps unit. While there he spent some of his off hours teaching English to Korean children.

Gene worked for over 30 years in the business offices of the State of Wisconsin Correctional Institutions starting with Taycheedah Correctional, then transferred to Fox Lake Correctional when it was built (where he spent the bulk of his career), then retiring from Dodge Correctional Institution. After retiring he drove school bus for several years for the local Head Start program. He served as Beaver Dam's third Ward Alderman in the 70's for several terms. Gene was a member of St. Katherine Drexel Parish in Beaver Dam.

In 1970, he married Jane Koehn in Beaver dam, He and Jane raised 4 children together.

Gene enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in their sporting, academic, and musical events. He was an avid Brewers, Packers, Bucks and Badgers fan. He enjoyed boating and camping at state parks, with his favorites being Peninsula State Park in Door County and Devils Lake State Park in Baraboo. He also loved taking his family to lake cottages in northern Wisconsin. In his retirement he and Jane spent many Februarys in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Gene is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Ennis; his children and grandchildren, Douglas (Erin) Ennis of Middleton, and their 3 sons, Sam, Andrew and Declan; David (Beth) Ennis of Milwaukee and their 2 children, Lydia and Wally; Jill (Dan) Keel of Beaver Dam and their 2 sons, Cory and Rollie (Alicia); and Sheri Saleeby of Raleigh, NC and her 2 children, Sydney (Sam Brock) and Stephen; his 4 great grandchildren, Griffin, Crew, River and Haven. He is further survived by his siblings, Mike (Nona) Ennis, Sharon (Bill) Schmaltz, Renee (Curt) Hill, and Jim Ennis;  and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws; his sister, Kay Lange; and his brothers, Patrick and Gary Ennis; and other relatives.

In honoring Gene's wishes, a private family gathering will be held at a later date.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.