Eugene "Geno" Hartjes

Eugene D. "Geno" Hartjes, 75, Wausau, died Monday, October 31, 2016 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born June 16, 1941 in the town of Park Falls, son of the late Clayton and Millicent (Mason) Hartjes. Geno was united in marriage to Nadine (Zimick) Nieuwenhuis in Wausau. She survives. For over 40 years, Geno ran Hartjes Auto Body in Wausau and worked on many cars over the years. He loved all things racing! Geno helped his son, Dean, race motocross for 10 years and stock cars for 20 years. In the 1970's, he worked with Dave Marcis and also worked for Osterlund Racing in Charlotte, North Carolina. Geno was the flagman at State Park Speedway in Rib Mountain for many years. He was a member of the Town of Texas Lions Club for 32 years and was the Marathon County Eye Bank Treasurer and eye transporter. Among his favorite pastimes, he loved going up North to their cottage on Lake Nokomis and fishing. Survivors include, his wife, Nadine, Wausau; one son, Dean (Carla) Nieuwenhuis, Wausau; two grandchildren, Melissa and Hannah; two brothers, Mike (Penny) Hartjes and Ted (Kay) Hartjes, both of Wausau; one sister, Debbie Somers, Minneapolis; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Susan; and one brother-in-law, Gary Somers. Memorial services will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2016 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the officers with the Wausau Police Department for assisting the family and a special thank you to the brave men that helped at the accident scene. Words cannot express our gratitude. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com