Eugene “Gene” Francis Lee, 95, of Whitewater, passed away Jan. 12, 2016.
Gene was born Feb. 22, 1920, in Milwaukee, the son of Frank J. and Eleanor (Pust) Lee. He served his country in the U. S. Army Airforce during WWII, and after returning, worked as the Advertising Manager for the Whitewater Register.
He was known throughout the area as “Cousin Otto” the clown and performed in parades, schools and at Circus World in Baraboo. He was the Red Dot Potato Chip clown and one of the original Ronald McDonalds. He was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 1992 and founded a local Clown Alley to teach the basics to future clowns. He was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ, the Masonic Lodge, the American Legion and the Forty and Eight.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jeanette Kitzman; his children, Kay (Dean) Amhaus, Grafton, Richard (Laurie) Lee, Winthrop Harbor, Ill., and Robert (Kathleen) Lee, St. Louis, Mo.; grandchildren, Rena, Andrew, Christopher and Nicholas; and great-grandchildren, Doran and Adara.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Viola Sheely; and two brothers, Harold and William Gettleman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 130 S. Church St., Whitewater, with the Rev. Luke Bocher officiating. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 16 at the church until the time of services.
The family would like to thank the staff of Rainbow Hospice and Fairhaven for their compassionate care. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family. For online condolences visit www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
