Eugene Goeglein
Born: November 10, 1949 in Fort Atkinson, WI
Died: April 26, 2021 in Lake in the Hills

Eugene “Gene” Thomas Goeglein , 71, of Lake in the Hills Illinois, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 26, 2021 surrounded by his family. Gene was born November 10, 1949 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin to parents Eugene and Rosemary (nee Roe) Goeglein.

Gene resided in Whitewater, Wisconsin until he went off to study education at the University of Nebraska. He received his Bachelor’s in education while playing football for the Nebraska Cornhusker’s as a walk on. This is where the start of his lifelong love for the Nebraska Football Program began. Gene went onto receive his Master’s in Education from the University of Madison and completed his education with post graduate work in education policy and leadership studies at Loyola University.

Gene spent 41 years in the field of education, having many roles including physical education teacher, football/track/wrestling coach, athletic director, dean of students, principal and finished his career as the Regional Superintendent of McHenry County. Gene retired in 2011, however continued to work with the schools, performing health, life and safety inspections until 2020.

While Gene loved his career, nothing meant more to him than his two daughters, Kate and Kristie. The love he had for his girls was evident in everything he did. That love became seven times sweeter when they gave him the most precious gift of all, his grandchildren. In the many roles he had throughout his life, “Papa” was by far his proudest and most honored role.

When Gene wasn’t working, with his family, or cheering on his Huskers, he could be found on the golf course, sharing his famous jokes and stories with the lifelong friends he made on the greens.

Gene will be remembered by his daughters, Kate (Adam) Brink, and Kristie (Aaron Krejci) Brokaw, their mother Linda Goeglein, his grandchildren, Jay, Cameron, Taylor, Owen, Gavin, Cayden, and Alivia, his siblings, Maribeth McLaughlin, Walter Goeglein, and Catherine (Jamie) Heber, along with many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Gene’s name may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County, as he was always giving back to the children, he spent his life educating.

Visitation will be Monday, May 3, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to time of prayer service 6:30 p.m. at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley. Mass will be held Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley.

For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com