Eugene M Elwanger

He was born November 8, 1936 to Walter John Elwanger and Elsie Katherine (Matthes) Elwanger in Seattle, Washington. The family moved to Bellevue where they raised greenhouse carnations and eventually added cows. He graduated from Bellevue High School.

In 1959 the flower market had faltered so the family bought the Ayer Brothers Dairy Farm in East Olympia which became Elwanger and Sons. Gene was drafted into the Army and served 3 years in Germany and Texas. Returning from military service, he settled in on the dairy farm, milking usually 100 cows and raising calves and heifers for replacements, plus raising all the hay and corn silage to feed them.

Gene married the love of his life Patricia Carol Western on November 24, 1972. They moved onto the farm, where Gene continued to work, and together they loved and raised their 3 children, Karen, Jeffrey, and Jay. They happily celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends September 3, 2022!

In 1985 the family sold their share of the dairy farm and moved to the “city”, the blue house and 5 acres in Tumwater, WA. There Gene loved planting different varieties of trees, rhododendrons, and a large garden, especially tomatoes. He worked for Harsch Investments as the maintenance person at Capital Place apartments in Olympia. After Gene retired in 1998, he and Pat spent many, many days on the road in their 5th Wheel RV exploring places in and out of the state. They cruised to Alaska, Panama Canal, Hawaii, and on the Rhine and Columbia Rivers. They visited Jay in Hawaii many times, Karen and family in Spokane, Jeff and family in Lacey, and extended family in California. He was a frequent helper for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank, First United Methodist Church, and Olympia Junior Programs. He was a proud member of the American Legion.

Gene was well loved and will be missed by his wife Pat, daughter Karen (Scott) Kusel, son Jeffrey (Patty), sisters Leona Schulz and Elaine Heck, and brother David. He was preceded in death by son Jay (2016), brother John, and his parents Walter and Elsie. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren whom he dearly loved.

The family wishes to thank Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice for their loving care and especially Dr. Noeru Okamura, nurses Jen and Jeewon, and PT Sophia for caring so much for so long for Gene’s wellbeing. His memorial service is January 28, 2:00 PM, at First United Methodist Church of Olympia. Family encourages you to bring/wear a red bandana. Donation can be made to First United Methodist Church of Olympia.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millsandmillsfunerals.com for the Elwanger family.