Eugene Blatz, 85, of St. Nazianz, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Homestead Health Services in New Holstein.  Gene was born February 3, 1936 to the late Gregor and Adela (Wagner) Blatz.  On June 30, 1956, he married the former Jeanette Rabe at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kiel.  The couple operated Blatz's Bar in School Hill for three years.  Jeanette preceded him in death on August 29, 1992.  Gene enjoyed bowling and beanbag leagues and shaking dice with his friends.

Survivors include his children, Michael (special friend, Christine), Dan (Cathy), Brian (Marlene), Sandy (John) Burkart, Cheryl (Gregg) Bathke, Andy (Crystal) and Tony; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Jane Platz and Jerriann Endries; brother-in-law, Alvin Jr. (Helen) Rabe; sisters-in-law, Edith Schneider, Kathy Rabe and Arlene Blatz and special friend, Doris Hitsman.

In addition to his parents and wife, Jeanette, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Glenroy (Hennie) Blatz and Marvin Blatz and his brothers-in-law, Jim Platz, Jimmy Endries, Everett (Delores) Rabe, Kenneth Rabe and Ronnie Rabe, his father-in-law, Alvin Rabe and his mothers-in-law, Helen Rabe and Ruby Rabe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at St. Gregory Catholic Church (212 Church Street, St. Nazianz) at 5:00 p.m.  Visitation will be held on Thursday at the church, from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass.  Interment will follow at the church cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Homestead Health Services for their care.