Eugene Carl "Gene" Oesterreich, 93, of Athens, and formerly of Minnesota, died Thursday, March 3, 2010, at Etowah Health Care Center.

A native of Brainerd, Minn., and a former resident of Wisconsin, he moved to Athens in 1977. A son of the late Rudolph Carl and Ellen Carlson Oesterreich, his father was a native of Germany and his mother a native of Sweden. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie Elizabeth Anderson Oesterreich; and his former wife, Vesta Marie Belk Burke Oesterreich. He attended Keith Memorial United Methodist Church in Athens, and was a member of the McMinn Senior Activity Center, where he had taught ballroom dancing.

A graduate of the Milwaukee School of Engineering, he worked for the Heil Trailer Company, where he started in 1947. From 1951, he was in leadership and in 1977 became superintendent, retiring as Quality Control Manager in 1980. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1935 and 1936.

Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Gerald "Jerry" and Gayle Oesterreich of Pewaukee, Wis., Richard "Dick" and Chieko Oesterreich of Chicago, Ill., and John Oesterreich of Milwaukee, Wis.; one granddaughter, Carrie Acevedo of Hartland, Wis.; one grandson, Kelly Oesterreich of Milwaukee, Wis.; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Alexander and Teah; and a caregiver, Holly Enten with "Golden Touch."

There will be no formal service or visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Athens, TN 37371-0001; or to the McMinn Senior Activity Center, 205 McMinn Ave., Athens, TN 37303.