Eugene P. "Gene" Coughlin

Eugene “Gene” Patrick Coughlin, 84 of Watertown, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Park Terrace in Watertown.

Gene was born on July 11, 1940, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Watertown, the son of Ervin and Stella (Stangler) Coughlin. He married the love of his life, Vicki Eberle, on August 25, 1962. They were blessed with 5 children and 62 years of marriage.

Gene was a fourth generational member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, and fourth generational farmer, owning 20 acres of the original Coughlin land. In 1976 he was honored with an Outstanding Young Dairy Farmer Award by the Associated Milk Producers Incorporated. In addition to being a family farmer, he was a Pioneer Seed Sales Rep. for over 40 years. Gene was honored to carry on the family name and tradition of farming and of raising Clydesdale horses. For many years he drove his or his Dad’s horses in parades in Watertown, neighboring towns around, and even in the Milwaukee Circus Parades. Both Gene and Vicki enjoyed attending polka dances, traveling, sightseeing and most of all, doing memorable things with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gene was a honest, kind, loving, and thoughtful man, who loved and worked hard with his family and was very proud of them. He was proud of his Irish heritage and his strong Catholic faith that he shared with his family. Gene was well-respected for his reputation as an honest and hardworking man who above all else took great pride in his family.

Gene is survived by: his loving wife Vicki; son Patrick (Jeannie) Coughlin and their children Katie (Austin), Matthew (Katie) and Ryan (Alexiyah) Coughlin; daughter Peg (Peter) Billing and their children Brighid Billing and Heather (Daryl) Zerr; son Richard Coughlin; daughter Sue (Klaas) van Zanten and their children Thomas, Nicole, and Ella van Zanten; son Chris (Kristie) Coughlin and their children Alex, Peyton, and Joseph Eugene Coughlin; great-grandchildren Hallie, Lauren, Parker, Calla, Colter Eugene, Emma, Julien, and one more on the way; siblings Jerry Coughlin, Sister Lucille Coughlin SSND, Ken Coughlin, and Carolyn (John) Geason. Gene is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, brother Tom and his wife Sharon Coughlin, and sister-in-law Bonnie Coughlin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 11, 2025, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Watertown with Fr. Timothy Renz presiding. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church. A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home of Watertown. Gene will be laid to rest at St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery following the Mass.

The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to Commonheart Hospice and Marquardt Park Terrace Memory Care unit for the loving care provided to Gene.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gene’s name can be made to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, the Watertown FFA, or a charity of one’s choice.