Eugene Krohn

Eugene Krohn, 90, passed away at home on August 26, 2025. Gene was born on December 7, 1934, to Robert Krohn and Mary Mills Krohn. He grew up in Black River Falls, graduating from the local high school. He attended college at Lawrence University and then UW-Madison where he earned a bachelor and then medical degree.

He married Janet Hoffman Krohn, who he knew from childhood, in 1955. They returned to Black River Falls where professionally, Gene was the third generation of family physicians at the Krohn clinic, founded by his grandfather, Eugene Krohn.

Gene embraced the role of a rural, primary care physician. He lived in an era where rural physicians delivered babies as part of their practice, welcoming hundreds of children over the years. It was common, even in recent years, for adults to come up to him in the community and say, “Dr Gene, you delivered me.” He was diligent about staying up on his medical knowledge and worked many nights at the local hospital. Gene was a mentor for the UW School of Medicine preceptor program and trained many 4th year medical students.

Gene and Janet raised 4 children together, surrounded by a wide extended family of parents, siblings and many nieces and nephews, including strong connections to great nieces and nephews. He shared his many passions with family and friends- following badger football and basketball, the beloved Green Bay Packers, downhill and cross-country skiing, and gardening. He had a strong connection to the Black River, with his childhood home being on the river. He enjoyed fishing, canoeing and in later years pontoon rides on the river. He loved his hunting land near Franklin and being in nature.

Gene and Janet spent retirement years traveling and wintering in Tucson, AZ. He continued his personal growth through his later years. He was open about his participation in the 12- step recovery community and how it helped him to be more open to himself and other people. He became a skilled, quiet, compassionate listener to others. He grew more humble and grateful for the things in everyday life. Family felt so supported by his presence. His love for Janet grew as he tenderly took on a role as caregiver with her dementia. They were married for 68 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Janet Hoffman Krohn, his parents, Robert and Mary Krohn, his sister Alice Krohn Homstad, and his brother-in-law Peter Hoffman. He is survived by his children, Joel (Janelle) Krohn, Amy Krohn, Mary Krohn, Katherine (Jay) Laabs, and by his grandchildren Carl Cortright, Sam Krohn Cortright, Elizabeth Laabs, Andrew Laabs, and William Laabs. Survivors also include his sister, Ann (Waldo) Peterson, brothers-in -law Gil (Alice) Homstad, and David (Marilyn) Hoffman, and sister-in-law Jone (Peter) Hoffman plus numerous nieces and nephews with whom he had a special bond.

The family is grateful to his caregivers Jenny Buren, Kay Turner, Anne Purev, Michele Koch, and Jane Pope. The family also extends heartfelt thanks to the numerous friends and relatives who supported them through this time.

Memorials may be made to the Black River Falls Area Foundation in memory of Eugene Krohn, PO Box 99.

The memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Black River Falls on Friday September 5, 2025, at 11am. Friends may visit an hour before the service and a luncheon will be served immediately following. There will be a visitation on Thursday September 4, 2025, from 5-7 pm at the United Methodist Church.

The BRF United Methodist Church will provide a stream of the services on YouTube for those unable to attend in person, available at https://www.youtube.com/@brfumc7504