[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 106 (Monday, June 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF M. EUGENE ZEUSKE'S 95TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. MIKE GALLAGHER

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 24, 2019

  Mr. GALLAGHER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor M. Eugene Zeuske 
of Shawano, Wisconsin on celebrating his 95th birthday. One of 5 
children whose grandparents immigrated from Norway and Germany, Gene 
was born at home and raised on the family dairy farm along the banks of 
the Wolf River in Waupaca County.
  Gene was a hard worker. He worked endlessly on the farm and still 
found time to graduate from Clintonville High School. He began working 
``off the farm,'' performing a number of jobs for the Four Wheel Drive 
in Clintonville.
  Gene served our country in the Army Airforce Corps during World War 
II, stationed at Sheppard Air Force base in Texas. Last year, he was 
one of four WWII Veterans on his Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.
  His love of dairy farms was a natural springboard when he worked for 
Midwest Breeders in Shawano, and later as the Langlade County 
representative with the Farm Bureau. There, in Antigo, he met Viola 
Ourada, who became his wife of 68 years until her passing in 2018. Gene 
and Vi transferred to Waupaca County with Farm Bureau, finally moving 
to Shawano where they were licensed insurance agents. Together, they 
owned and grew their agency over the next 30 years and were recognized 
with many awards for their success.
  Gene followed the path of public service started by his grandfather 
who had served in the state legislature, county and town board, and his 
mother, a teacher and member of the school board.
  Gene served decades in appointed positions. He was appointed by the 
Mayor as commissioner of the Shawano Police and Fire Commission, 
Shawano Municipal Utilities, and a founding commissioner of Badger 
Power Marketing Authority. Gene was elected as a county delegate to the 
Wisconsin Conservation Congress for over twenty years and was the 
county representative to the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning 
Commission for four Governors.
  Gene believes in giving back to the community, and he organized the 
first United Way campaign for Shawano, served as co-chair; he rebuilt 
and reopened the Shawano Lake Gun Club; he was an active member of 
Shawano Jaycees, Shawano Lions Club, VFW and adult leader for the Boy 
Scouts of America.
  Gene has been a loyal and active member of the Shawano County 
Republican Party for over the last 60 years, winning many awards at the 
local and state levels for his unwavering dedication.
  Gene still lives in his home in Shawano on the Wolf River channel and 
remains active as an Amsoil dealer and works his farmland next to his 
childhood home. Always the avid hunter and fisherman, Gene purchased 
and rebuilt a century old fishing cabin in Canada where he continues to 
visit several times a year.
  Celebrating Gene's birthday are his friends and family; 3 children 
and their spouses, Todd (Terry), Candee Arndt (Ray), and Cathy Gard 
(John), 7 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all members of this body to join me in 
applauding Gene Zeuske for his many years of public service and 
volunteerism, and wish him a happy and healthy 95th birthday.

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