Gene Sweeney

Gene Sweeney, 71, of Waukon, IA, died Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon after a brief illness.  Memorial services will be held Wednesday, September 18th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may call from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Wednesday at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Eugene William Sweeney was born November 29, 1947, in Waukon, IA, the son of Hugh, Sr. and Louise (Troendle) Sweeney. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Lycurgus Catholic Church in rural Waukon. Gene attended Hanson Country School and St. Patrick High School. Gene spent his whole life in Waukon and owned and operated S&Q Feed Ranch and Sweeneys' DX Stations. Gene then spent 30 years working for the DOT, retiring in 2008. In 1967, Gene married Cathy Quandahl; they had three children and later divorced.

Gene also had a hobby farm where he spent a lot of time working; he granted the wishes of his grandchildren with every animal they wanted to help him raise from goats to llamas to rabbits. He could not say "no" when it came to his grandchildren and a lot of Gene's focus was on them. He loved having them out to the farm for gator rides, trips to Hardee's, and always made sure the treat drawer was filled. He also enjoyed gardening, landscaping, hunting, and fishing. Gene was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and since he was very religious, gave his grandkids rosaries and holy water.

He is survived by his three children: Audrey (Bob) Lonning, Amy Sweeney, and Pete (Tara) Sweeney, all of Waukon; grandchildren: Ian (Allison) Urell, Nathan Sweeney, Rylee Sweeney-Einck, Lainey Erdmann, and Ezra and Elsie Sweeney; two sisters: Betty Brummer of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Mary (Jim) Nagel of Waukon; a brother Thomas (Linda) Sweeney of Washington; and sister-in-law Annie Sweeney of Savanna, IL.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: James, Hugh Jr. (Rose Mary), George (Norma Jean), and Connie (Helen); and brother-in-law Florus Brummer.

Honorary casketbearers are Gene's grandchildren.