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Obituary for Eugene Stairs
Robert Eugene Stairs was born on July 29, 1938 to Clayton and Katherine Stairs in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada.
On his 21st birthday, July 29, 1959, he married Joyce Elaine Harris. On July 19, 1960 their first child, James Robert was born in Woodstock, NB, Canada. The following year the family moved to Bloomington, MN. They lived with Gene’s parents upon their arrival before moving to their own home on Columbus Avenue in Bloomington before the birth of Joanne Marie on January 28, 1963. In the summer of 1964, they moved again to Mission Road in Bloomington where they were living when their third child, John Weldon, was born on September 17, 1964.
Gene worked at Methodist Hospital as a janitor when they first came to Minnesota. He then began working at Hitchcock Industries, an aluminum foundry in Bloomington as a core maker. He worked there for 37 years until he retired in 1999.
Gene cared for Joyce over the next several years after she developed early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. In 2001, she was admitted to a long term care facility, and Gene visited her daily for many years. He never lost his sense of devotion and always made sure she had everything she needed and was being well cared for. Joyce passed away in May 2011.
Gene was an avid gardener and he enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with his family and friends. He had a very large garden and grew so many vegetables that even with all the children and grand-children grabbing their share, it was all we could do to keep up with the loads of food he would deliver. He enjoyed fishing on Ward Lake; his stringers of walleye were legendary with the Ward Lake neighbors. Gene was also a big fan of the Minnesota Wild hockey team and never missed watching a game, even if he had to stay up until midnight to see how it came out. Gene’s favorite pastime was deer hunting. He planned for it all year in anticipation of the hunting and time spent with his son John and various other hunting companions over the years. Just before he was diagnosed with leukemia last December 5th, he shot 2 deer the week of Thanksgiving 2012.
Gene passed away on August 20, 2013 at his daughter’s home in Bloomington, MN at the age of 75. He was surrounded by family over the preceding weeks. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him for his love of family and quick wit. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Katherine Stairs and his wife Joyce. He is survived by his brother David Stairs, sister Marilyn Granger, son Jim Stairs, daughter Joanne Stairs (Scott Servin), and son John Stairs. Eight grandchildren; Jennifer Dawson, Tim Dreher, Laura Melissa Chesky, Rachel Halberg, Katie, Elaine Sarah Stairs. Seven great-grandchildren; Rebecca, Tyler, Nicholas Kailey Halberg, Madison Connor Dawson, Ryan Stairs.
A memorial service was held for Gene on Friday, August 23rd at Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, WI. He was buried on September 7th in a private family ceremony.
Online condolences may be left at www.rowefh.com or www.wicremationcenter.com. Continue to check these websites for updated information or call Bruce Rowe at the Rowe Funeral Home, 715-327-4475 or the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, 715-825-5550.
