Eugene Paul "Gene" Steffens Gene Steffens, age 76, passed away quietly Tuesday, 19 April 2016, at Kindred Hospital, Ocala, FL after a lengthy battle with pulmonary fibrosis.  Gene was born 8 July 1939 to the late Dora (Ebben), and Lawrence Steffens.  He attended St Therese Catholic Grade School and Graduated from Appleton, (now West), High School in 1957.  He joined the National Guard right out of HS and later transferred to the Army/Army Reserve, retiring as a Master Sergeant after 23-years of service.  Gene attended Fox Valley Technical School, receiving a degree in computer programming and worked as a programmer for several companies before retiring as a Systems Analyst from Rockwell International, Oshkosh, WI.  He was able to fulfill his retirement dream of “wintering warm” when he became a resident of The Villages, FL.   Gene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Summerfield, FL and served there as an usher.  He was proud of his military service and spent most of it “teaching Medics to be Medics”.  Gene truly appreciated and respected his military family.  He loved a good story or joke and enjoyed playing sheepshead with family and friends.  Gene looked forward to golfing with his wife, his summer foursome, Gus, Jack and Michael and winter friends Charlie and Ellen; but nothing pleased him more than fishing with his son Scott and grandson Chance, especially when the fishing took them to Canada.   Survivors include his wife of 30-years Connie Bartsch, The Villages, FL, his son Scott, daughter-in-law Gina, and grandson Chance, as well as the mother of his sons, Susan (Miller) Eppinger, all of Madison, WI.  Mother-in-law Jane Bartsch, Granton, WI; sisters and brothers-in law: Rick Bartsch Janeen Cooper, Stevens Point, WI, Peter Bartsch Gail Shavlik, North Richland Hills, TX, Kay Bartsch Loren Meddaugh, River Falls, WI, Jay and Renee Bartsch, Prescott, WI, a sister-in-law Marion (Edward) Steffens, Santa Barbara, CA, special friends Denton Engstrom and Mary Cone, both of Appleton, WI, plus the many treasured nieces and nephews scattered over the US.   He was preceded in death by his sons: Steven and Todd, his brothers: Edward, Charles, Florien, Lawrence, and Kenneth; his sisters: Ceil Smith, Marge Baer, and Mary Keller, brothers-in-law: Don (Marge) Baer and Don (Mary) Keller; sister-in law Betty Engstrom; father-in-law Merle Bartsch.   There will be a celebration of Gene’s life, 1-pm, Monday, 20 June, at O’Hauser Park, North pavilion, Neenah, WI.  Gene always said he wanted a celebration of his life; no mourning, no tears, just a casual gathering of his family and friends exchanging stories, jokes, and memories.