Bruce E. Gengler

Bruce E. Gengler, 64, of Hartford, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2014 at his home, surrounded by his family, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer and lung cancer. He was born on January 30, 1950 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Alois and Elsie (Fameree) Gengler. Bruce was united in marriage to Cynthia Kathryn Krahn on May 23, 1970 at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Hubertus, Wisconsin. He honorably served in the United States Army, 11th Finance Section of the Seventh Army, serving as a Financial Disbursement Specialist. Bruce was stationed in Mannheim/Heidelburg, Germany from 1970 to 1972. After his discharge he was employed by the West Bend Company which later was part of Focus Products Group. He was employed by the same company for 43 years. Bruce was a member of the West Bend Company Twenty Five Year Club. He retired in December 2012. Bruce enjoyed playing softball with a loyal group of buddies. He also enjoyed bowling for many years. Bruce loved following the Brewers and the Packers. He was deeply proud of his five children and delighted in his grandchildren. Bruce was empathic and compassionate and was gifted with a great laugh and quick wit. He loved to tell stories and had committed to memory old baseball players from the 1950’s along with interesting facts and statistics about them. Bruce had an impressive baseball card collection and record collection. Bruce attended St. Catherine Catholic Elementary School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and St. Boniface School in Germantown, Wisconsin. He graduated from Germantown High School in Germantown, Wisconsin. Bruce was a member of St. Kilian Catholic Parish since 1978. He was a stable presence, a kind soul, and protector of his family. Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Alois Gengler. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, five children; Erica (Terry) Evraets, Traci (Ralph Bowser) Gengler, Dan (Kelly) Gengler, Jessica (Jim) Kriehn and Sarah Gengler, fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his mother, Elsie Gengler, two brothers, Al (Sally) Gengler and Kenny (Sandy) Gengler along with one sister, Emmy (Jeff Kreuser) Gengler. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 from 12 Noon – 2 PM at St. Kilian Catholic Church, 264 West State Street, Hartford. The Mass of Resurrection will follow at 2 PM at the Church with the Rev. Timothy Bickel and Deacon Robert Riedl officiating. Interment will be at St. Kilian Cemetery, Hartford, WI. The Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home is serving the family. www.berndt-ledesma.com

Bruce E. Gengler

January 30, 1950 - March 22, 2014