Gene Harry Kreienbrink

Gene H. Kreienbrink, 83 Gene was taken to his heavenly home on April 17, 2018. He was born in Milwaukee, WI on January 18, 1935 and was baptized at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on March 10, 1935. While he lived in the same childhood neighborhood as his future wife, their paths never crossed during this time. At the age of 11, Gene, his younger brother, Jack, and his parents, Harry and Minnie Kreienbrink, moved to Wabeno, WI, to operate a family dairy farm. He was confirmed at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Wabeno, WI, on March 30, 1947, and graduated from Wabeno H.S. in 1952. While at UWM he finally met and later married his loving wife, Marjorie Anne (Heck), on September 7, 1957. Gene and Marjorie were blessed with over 60 years of marriage. They have five children – Kaye Jean Kielbasa, Gail Joy, Kyle Gene (Jacquie), Kurt (Karen) and Nina (David) Froehling. They were also blessed with 4 grandchildren - Jared, Kendra, Kailey, and Kaden Gene, 6 step grandchildren, a great-grandson, Jameson, and 2 step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by other relatives and many friends. Gene retired from his 31-year career with the US Postal Service in 1992. He started in the Milwaukee Post Office in 1961 as a Substitute Clerk. Thereafter he held many positions, including Methods & Standards Analyst, Distribution Manager and Director of Mail Processing; eventually becoming Postmaster of Minneapolis and Postmaster of Brookfield. Gene was also an active member of the League of Postmasters and a dedicated advocate for the League in Washington D.C. Gene’s faith was the cornerstone of all he did in life. He loved to learn about and serve our Lord. Many of his activities were in service to his home church of 53 years, Trinity Freistadt. Some church activities included the Board of Finance, Male Choir, Bible Study Leader, Congregational President, Stephen Ministry, Church secretary, and the visiting of shut-ins. To better serve his congregation, Gene also faithfully studied and received his certificate to be a Lay Minister. He served on many boards for other regional and national organizations including Lutheran Hour Ministries and Bethesda Communities. Gene also used his God given talents of leadership and organization to serve the developmentally disabled community. He served, led and volunteered for many local organizations including Wisconsin ARC (State Director), Ozaukee County ARC (President), Portal inc., and Balance Inc. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack (Suzanne) and his son-in-law, Robert Kielbasa. A noon service will be held at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Freistadt, Mequon, WI, on Saturday, April 28 with visitation from 9:30 am until time of service. Memorials to Trinity or Portal inc. are appreciated.