Gene Arlen Tyler

Gene Arlen Tyler, of Holmen, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 4, 2021 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer, with his family by his side. Gene was born on French Island on January 8, 1934 to Leslie G. and Violet M. (Aiken) Tyler as the 2 ^nd oldest of seven children. He graduated from Logan High School in 1951 and then served in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956 and was a Korean War Veteran.

He married Betty Lou Nelson Livingston on June 29, 1956 at Olivet Lutheran Church and they were blessed with four children during their 64 years of marriage.

Gene worked for the US Postal Service for 32 years and retired in 1989 as Superintendent of Postal Operations. He was a past member of the Lions Club, American Legion, French Island Boat Club, and volunteered with Causeway. Gene was a member of Holmen Lutheran Church and had previously served as a La Crosse County Board Supervisor for six years.

Gene loved spending time with his family, grandchildren, and friends. He loved watching the birds and wildlife, planting and tending his garden, fishing and watching the Packers.

Gene was an original French Island River Rat and in his younger years trapped, clammed, hunted and fished throughout the backwaters of the upper Mississippi. He was well known for his extensive knowledge of this area and its history. Gene loved the many years he spent on the river houseboating, camping, and spending quality time with his family and friends.

Gene’s greatest joys were dancing and travelling with his wife, hunting with all his sons, fishing on the river with his son Kevin, the Freedom Honor flight he took with his son Mike, and the visits and time spent in Alaska, Oregon, Colorado, Florida and Canada with his daughter Lisa.

Gene was a great and loving husband, father and grandfather who will be remembered for his love of family, his willingness to help others, his courage, strength, and guidance, and best of all his wonderful and quick sense of humor. Gene was well respected and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him.

Gene is survived by his wife Betty, children; Kevin (Debbie) of La Crosse, Michael (Judy Rathke) of Holmen, and Lisa (John) Ebner of Brush Prairie, WA, grandchildren, Sarah, Nicole, Jacob, Mikayla, Ronlee and Joey, sisters, Dorothy Ritter and Linda (John) Wieczorik, brothers Tom (Sherry), Milt (Marlene), and Paul (Elaine), sisters-in-law, Hazel Tyler, Linda (Bob) Kay and Bonnie Crogan. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law John and Evelyn Livingston, his brother Leslie, his son Nick, grandsons Joe and Andy, and brothers-in-law Jack Ritter and Mike Crogan.

Gene’s family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Mayo Hospice, nurse Jody and Chaplain Kristin, as well as good friends Dave and Becky for their love and support.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, private services will be held for Gene on Monday, January 11, 2021. Burial with military honors will be in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Memorials in Gene's name may be given to the Coulee Region Humane Society.