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 4 th 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.
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