Eugene Knox

Eugene R. Knox, 77, of Waukon died Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services were held Tuesday, March 27 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Pastor Samantha Houser officiating. Burial with military graveside rites was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Eugene Raymond Knox was born January 22, 1941 in Burr Oak, the son of Thomas and Frances (Wicks) Knox. When Gene was young, he lived with his uncle and aunt, Ted and Edna Larson, while his father was in the service. He attended St. Patrick Catholic School in Waukon and served in the U.S. Marines with two tours in Vietnam.

October 8, 1966, he married Joyce Ann Nolting at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. When Gene was stationed stateside, they lived in North Carolina. After he was discharged, they moved to Cedar Rapids, where they owned a rental business until 1974. Gene and Joyce then moved back to Waukon, where he worked as a mechanic for Allamakee County Secondary Roads, owned the 66 Café for a short time and was a janitor at the Waukon High School. Before retiring, he also worked for Benjegerdes Machine, Inc.

Gene was a member of Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon and the VFW. Gene and Joyce loved being on the Mississippi River, spending hours fishing on their boat and staying at their cabin in Lansing. They eventually sold their cabin and bought a camper, parking it at the Red Barn in Lansing. They were there most weekends and made many new friends.

Gene is survived by his children: Steve (Amy) Knox of Decorah and Pam Benjegerdes of Waukon; seven grandchildren: Carrie (Brady) Waldron, Travis Knox, Troy (Ashley) Knox, Brent (Betsy) Benjegerdes, Britany (Kevin) Blume, and Brea and Brooke Benjegerdes; 12 great-grandchildren: Willow and River Waldron, Bliss and Lucey Knox, Jayden, Parker and Logan Knox, Gus Benjegerdes, Skylar, Emma and Grayson Blume and Brynn Benjegerdes; four sisters-in-law: Karen Knox of Cedar Rapids, Elvina Knox of Blaine, MN, LaVonne (Ernest) Palas of Waukon and Faye Nolting of Waukon; and an uncle, Keith (Pat) Wicks of Springfield, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce, who died June, 15, 2017; a great-granddaughter, Angel Waldron; his brothers, James and Gerald Knox; and a brother-in-law, Gary Nolting.

Honorary casketbearers were Gene’s great-grandchildren and his nephews, Bryan, Dave, Jeff and Tim Knox, Chad Nolting and Greg Palas. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.