Gene Paul Pelowski

Gene Paul Pelowski, Sr., age 92, of Red Wing, died Thursday, September 24, 2015 at his home at Deer Crest. He was born on October 12, 1922 in Winona to Kasmer and Helen (Kamin) Pelowski. He graduated from Cotter in 1940 and was the recipient of the 2015 Cotter Alumni Achievement Award. The award recognizes Cotter alumni who have done great things in remarkable ways from all walks of life, careers. Gene dropped out of public high school for a year to work, moving up the ranks from caddy to golf professional at Westfield Golf Club so that he could save enough money to pay for tuition at Cotter High School. It was important to him to have that graduate diploma from Cotter High School. At 18 years old, he was the youngest golf professional in the United States. He served 4 years in the Navy on board the USS Marblehead in the Atlantic. On March 24, 1951 he married Mary Dean and she died on May 24, 2006. He attended Winona State University. He was the Captain and Coach of the WSU Golf Team lettering four years in a row. In 1993 he was inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame for his unique contributions to Winona State University Golf and to professional golf. He later became the golf professional at Red Wing Country Club, Hastings Country Club, and Zumbrota Country Club. He designed and built Ellsworth Country Club and served as golf professional and greenskeeper. His sons worked in the Pro Shop and on the course. Beyond golf, Mr. Pelowski was a high school business teacher at Plum City High School. He introduced electric typewriters and tape recorders into his business classes. He loved using what was "cutting-edge technology" back then. He retired from teaching just as computers were coming into the classroom; however, in retirement, he wore out several computers at home writing letters, making banners and creating cards. Gene attended mass regularly and was an usher and volunteered at other services.
He is survived by his three sons, Gene (Deborah) Pelowski, Jr. of Winona, Reg (Mary) Pelowski of Balsam Lake, WI, and Charles (Carla) Pelowski of Lake City; four grandchildren, Gene Pelowski III, Ryan Pelowski, Reg Adam Pelowski, and Megan Pelowski; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise; parents; sisters, Christine Lord and Doris Pelowski; and brothers, Paul, Robert, and Daniel.
Mass of the Resurrection will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the Church of St. Joseph with Father Thomas M. Kommers presiding. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona with full military honors. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, September 28 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to the Winona State University Golf Team. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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Visitation

SEP 28. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066

Visitation

SEP 29. 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (CDT)

Church of St. Joseph
435 West 7th St.
Red Wing, MN 55066

Service

SEP 29. 10:00 AM (CDT)

Church of St. Joseph
435 West 7th St.
Red Wing, MN 55066