Eugene “Gene” Bue of Melrose passed away on September 17, 2018 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  Born June 7, 1941 in Sparta, WI to Irving and Barbara Bue, Gene attended Melrose Area Schools and the University of La Crosse.

In August 1963, Gene married Mary Lee Wike also of Melrose.  The two moved to Edgerton, WI and taught in the Edgerton School system for 36 years.  He retired from teaching in 1998. In 2005 Gene and Mary returned to Melrose, WI to remodel his childhood farmhouse and revitalize the Shake Hollow homestead.

Gene served over 50 years as a member of the Lions Club in both Edgerton and North Bend; receiving the Birch Sturm Fellowship Award.  An avid sportsman, storyteller, honey bee and wine enthusiast, he enjoyed traveling and meeting people from all walks of life.  Gene never met a person, bourbon or beer he didn’t like.

Survived by wife of 55 years, Mary; daughters, Kathleen Hessian of Edgerton and Jane (Jim) Helgestad of Otsego, MN; along with four grandsons, Jedd, Max, Nick, and Sam.  He is also survived by his best friend, Harley the black Labrador, many friends and hunting buddies.

Memorials can be made to the Edgerton or North Bend Lions Club, Melrose Cemetery Association or Black River Memorial Hospice.   In lieu of services, there will be a Celebration of Life at the North Bend Lions Park, 16607 Wi-54, Melrose, WI 54642 on Saturday, September 29th from 2-5pm with tributes at 3pm.  Happy memories, flowing cocktails, and a room full of friends is the way Gene wanted to be remembered.