Eugene Driessen

Eugene (Gene) Frederick Driessen, age 91, formerly of Waseca, MN and the Rocky Point neighborhood on Gull Lake, near Brainerd, MN, most recently of Hopkins, MN, passed peacefully on September 22, 2011 of Merkel cell skin cancer. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 64 years, Kate, and his large and loving family.  Gene was born December 4, 1919, in Kaukauna, WI, to Regina (Clarke) Driessen and Edward Cornelius (Cy) Driessen.   A child of the Great Depression era, Gene learned the value of hard work with many jobs as a youth (paper route, life guard, shoe sales). A graduate of Kaukauna High School, Gene loved football and lettered all four years. In 1942 Gene graduated from Loyola University, New Orleans, LA, with a B.S. in Economics. Gene entered the U.S. Naval Air Corps after college, training in Pensacola, FL, where he was a founding member of the Loyola Flying Wolfpack. During WW II, Gene served his country as a Naval Aviator in the South Pacific islands of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan until 1946. Following WWII, Gene enjoyed a life-long career with Culligan, Inc., initially as a Corporate District Manager for both the Western and Upper Midwest regions (1946-1962), and later as an independent owner of Culligan dealerships in Minnesota and California (1962-1988). Gene was a pioneer in the water conditioning industry and the Culligan system, earning numerous national awards and serving on regional and national organizations, including the Minnesota Water Quality Association and the National Culligan Dealers Association. He was instrumental in helping to guide dozens of returning WWII veterans to open and operate as independent Culligan dealers throughout his territories.   A WCCO Radio Good Neighbor Award honoree, Gene lived a "service before self" life with numerous civic leadership roles (Rotary International, Sacred Heart Parish, Knights of Columbus, Chamber of Commerce, Waseca Development Corporation, STAR City Task Force, South Central MN Education Association, Waseca Senior Citizens Council, Waseca Hockey Association, Gull Lake Yacht Club/Sailing School, Friendly Sons of St Patrick, American Legion, VFW, Toastmasters, University of St. Thomas Gainey Conference Center, Trinity High School, Blue Cross Blue Shield MN, Waseca/Valle de Bravo Mexico Sister City, Eucharistic Minister to the Waseca federal prison population, mentoring Waseca High School students, and Waseca County GOP). Gene was most proud of his service to Rotary International as District Governor in 1989-90, and his 40-year role on the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Waseca. As District Governor he traveled to the Rotary International Convention in Seoul, Korea, and later to Beijing, China where he witnessed the Tiananmen Square student uprising and massacre.   "Love One Another". Gene's civic leadership was surpassed only by his dedication to his family. He married Kate April 12th, 1947 in San Bernardino, CA with his father Cy as his best man. Together, Gene and Kate raised and educated nine children, starting out in San Bernardino, CA and Palo Alto, CA, moving to the Interlachen Park neighborhood of Hopkins, MN, in 1958, and finally settling in Waseca, MN, in 1962. Putting roots down in Waseca was a family "quality-of-life" decision. As the story goes, Gene was offered a lead role with Culligan International Europe, but could not imagine a move to Brussels or Milan with a family of nine! Along the way, Gene became known as Grandpa in the family. Up to his last days, Grandpa was able to have a personal relationship with each and every one of his 35 grandchildren and 13 great-grand children, miraculously remembering each by name, and always current with their activities and diverse lives. Gene loved his family cabin time and on-the-water activities on Gull Lake. He loved all types of music, and to sing. At family gatherings, his favorite songs were "Oh Lord It's Hard to Be Humble" and "My Wild Irish Rose." Gene loved world travel, sailing, and cooking pancakes, and had hobbies of model ship building and stained glass art. He was a diehard Vikings fan, closet Packers fan, and huge supporter of his extended family's athletic, musical, artistic, and business achievements. He took pride in maintaining his big old house, 610 North State. Gene wasn't too bad at chess, checkers, bridge, cribbage, puzzles, and Scrabble. When asked what advice he had for his family, he responded, "Love one another."   Gene is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 64 years, Catherine ("Kate") Anne (Culligan) Driessen; by his nine children, Jeannette (Mike) Roach of Randall, MN, Daniel (Joyce) Driessen of Rosemount, MN, Elizabeth Driessen of Minneapolis, MN, Thomas (Karen) Driessen of Homewood, IL, Charles (Kris) Driessen of Owatonna, MN, Catherine (Chuck) Arvesen of Pine Springs, MN, Vincent (Martha) Driessen of Edina, MN, Peter Driessen of Minneapolis, MN, and Gerald (Nancy) Driessen of St. Louis Park, MN; by 35 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and by his sister Kathryn (Ken) Dickinson of Naples, FL.   Gene was preceded in death by his parents Cy and Regina, and his siblings Gretchen (Harvey) Doering, Kaukauna, WI, Robert (Margaret) Driessen, Appleton, WI, Dorothy (Robert) Weaver, LaJolla, CA, and Thomas (Iva) Driessen, Silver Springs, MD.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 26th, 1:30 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Fr. Kevin Culligan and Fr. Marty Schaefer, Concelebrants. Internment with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery.   Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 25th, 2:00-6:00 PM at McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Waseca, and will continue on Monday for one hour prior to services at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Sacred Heart Church in Waseca, MN, the Discalced Carmelite Friars, Holy Hill, WI, or the Catholic Society of Religious and Literary Education, New Orleans, LA.