Eugene J. "Big Gene" Vojtisek, 73, of Kenosha, passed away Wednesday, November 24, 2010, at United Hospital System-Kenosha Campus, following a short battle with cancer. He was born on September 2, 1937 in Waconia, MN, the son of the late Joseph and Caroline (Cermak) Vojtisek. Eugene was educated in the schools of Tyndall, SD. He moved to Kenosha in 1958 and has resided here since. On December 11, 1998 he married Joyce (Arenz) Ekern in Las Vegas, NV. He was employed by AMC in Kenosha for nine years. He was later employed by Kenosha County Joint Services for 19 years, until his retirement in 2002. Gene was a member of the Kenosha Car Club for 30 years, the Moose Club since 1962, and the Happy Hour Club. He played Horse Shoes since 1965 and Dart Ball since 1960. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and old cars. He loved watching his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting activities. He liked to dance especially to the song "Cotton Eyed Joe". His grandchildren will remember him playing Santa every year. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He loved people and knew someone everywhere he went. Gene was never without a smile. He is survived by his wife, Joyce of Kenosha; his son, Rick (Debbie) Vojtisek of Pleasant Prairie; eight step-children, Glen Ekern of Cullman, AL, Mark Ekern of Kenosha, Bonnie Soto of Kenosha, Sharon (William) Buege of Kenosha, Charlene (Jon) Fezcko of Kenosha, Ellen (David) Paielli of Pleasant Prairie, Donna (Robert) Thrams of Kenosha, and Gail (Jason) Markiewicz of Kenosha; two sisters, Elaine (Sydney) Schramm of Grand Junction, CO, and Sandi Winter of Rapid City, SD; 16 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Francis. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 29th, at Proko Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday at Proko Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Moose Lodge will conduct the Breaking of the Circle Ceremony on Sunday at the funeral home at 4:30 p.m.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Eugene’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com