Eugene Engrav

Eugene Engrav was born in Waterville September 20, 1940 to Judith Katinka Anderson and Lawrence Engrav. He passed away January 4, 2020.

After Gene was born, his mother, Judith, contracted Polio and had to enter a sanatorium for one year after his birth for treatment. Gene’s father and his relatives cared for Gene while she received treatment.

Gene graduated from Waukon High School, where he participated on the football team. After high school Gene served in the Wisconsin National Guard and was trained as a medic.

Gene married Fayline Blockhus, and they started a family while Gene took over the responsibility of the family dairy farm. Gene sustained a severe spinal injury when he had a fall on the family farm, fracturing his neck. During his treatment, his family physician told Gene about a college opportunity he had read about. Gene would have to participate in an aptitude test. Gene took the test and excelled and won a full scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa.  Once in college, Gene completed a four-year accounting degree in three years.

Gene was then offered a position at McGladrey Hendrickson, where he worked for his entire professional career. Gene was involved in Cheyenne Frontier Days and served on the Indian Committee - which he loved, Cheyenne Symphony Board, Wyoming State Chairman for Ducks Unlimited, and the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce. He was an avid collector of Western and Indian art.

Gene is survived by his wife of  59 years, Fayline; his sons, Larry (Paulette), Mike (Suzy) and Greg (Mary); and his daughter, Jillene (Scott). Gene is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well.