Eugene Wiesner,

Eugene F. Wiesner, 89, passed away peacefully on July 27th, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was born on July 6th, 1927 in Hays, Kansas to Peter S. Wiesner and Josephine (Erbert) Wiesner. He was the fifth of eleven children, all of who farmed with their parents in Ellis, Kansas. As a teenager, he was bedbound for four years due to complications of rheumatic fever. In 1944, wishing to become a priest, he attended St. Fidelius Seminary in Pennsylvania during high school and one year of college. His dreams of priesthood ended when he met and fell in love with Helen Honas at a local dance in Ellis. Six months later, on August 1, 1950, they were married and raised five children together. Eugene was drafted into the Army in October 1950 and was sent to the front lines of Korea. After being discharged, he returned to his wife and farmed for a year. Deciding that farming was not his life's ambition and with the assistance of the G.I. bill, he attended Fort Hays College and obtained a degree in Elementary Education, along with a Master's in School Counseling. After teaching for 4 years in Ellis and Susank, Kansas, he attended the University of Kansas in 1959 whereupon he earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. After working briefly at Kansas State University, he moved his family to Billings, Montana in 1967 and taught at Eastern Montana College as a professor of Psychology for 20 years. He also maintained a private counseling practice for many years. In his spare time, he was involved in many building and remodeling projects. Shortly after moving to Billings, Eugene received a special blessing at a Catholic Cursillo, which prepared and propelled him to become a speaker and teacher of “The Psychology of God's Word” at many workshops and conferences throughout Canada and the United States. Upon retiring in 1987, he became the director of St. Vincent De Paul second-hand store in Billings and remained a steadfast volunteer into his 80's. Eugene was also a parishioner of St. Patrick's Church for many years. He is survived by his wife, Helen, of 66 years; two sons, Eugene, Jr. (Mary) and Tim (friend, Mary); three daughters, Lucy Severs (Scott), Dottie Hannon (Rick), and Brenda Propp (Maurice); five grandchildren, Simon Wiesner (Mayzie), Charlie and Zach Severs, Ryan and Jake Hannon; one sister, Marilyn Senesac; and two brothers, Victor and Linus Wiesner; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Rupert; brothers Billy, Marvin, and Herman Wiesner; and sisters, Martha French, Blanche and Alma Wiesner. The viewing will be at Dahl Funeral Home from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Monday, August 1, followed by a 6:00pm Vigil. A Celebration of Life Mass will take place at Saint Patrick Co-Cathedral on Tuesday, August 2nd at 12:00pm, followed by a church reception. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be sent in Eugene's name to: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 2610 Montana Avenue, Billings, Montana 59101. The family is especially grateful to DCI for many years of wonderful care they provided to Eugene and to the caring people at Valley Nursing Home. Dahl Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.