Eugene "Duck" Wadel

Eugene (Duck) Wadel was the youngest of six children born in 1936 to Ervin and Bessie Wadel in Melrose, Wisconsin. He went into the U.S. Army and served three years in Germany before relocating to Fort Lewis, WA, where he met the love of his life, Jeanette Bellack (Jeanie). They quickly married and had four children, Nick (Mary), Bruce (Karen), Dean (Lisa), and Roxann (Mike), which led to six grandkids and five great-grandkids. They settled in Fife, WA, for 35 years, where Duck stayed involved in the community, including work on the Daffodil Parade floats. Eugene retired from Boeing after 37 years, then settled in Shelton, WA, for the next 23 years. Retired life was good, which included many trips to Makaha, Hawaii, and yearly trips to their second home in Yuma, AZ, with frequent trips across the border to Algodones, Mexico. The years were full of many friends, camping, Seahawks, Mariners, cold beer, great meals (prepared by Jeanette), and many fond memories for family and friends to cherish. A 65th wedding anniversary would have occurred this year but cancer took Duck at the age of 86 on May 3, 2023.