Eugene Joseph Semanko, 73, died in Nampa on Dec. 28, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer, his loving wife of 51 years, Carla, by his side.

Gene was born to Peter and Mary Semanko on a dairy farm near Eau Claire, Wis., on Dec. 16, 1939, the 15th of 15 children. He graduated from Cadott High School in Wisconsin and served in the United States Army. Gene was stationed near Frankfurt, West Germany, when he met the love of his life, Carla Ottilie Kuntzler. The couple was married at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church in Eau Claire on Aug. 26, 1961.

Gene earned a degree from San Jose City College and was an electronics technician with Lockheed Corporation for 35 years, working at the Missiles and Space Company in Sunnyvale, Calif., and the Trident Submarine Base in Bangor, Wash. In 1977, Gene and Carla moved the family to North Idaho, where their four children were raised in Coeur d’Alene, Spirit Lake and Rathdrum.

Along the way, Gene enjoyed being part of the local bowling league, playing horseshoes, helping the kids with scouting, soccer, softball and other activities. He always kept a big garden; tomatoes were his favorite challenge. He enjoyed Carla’s homemade desserts and liked a good beer, even dabbling in making his own. He was a fan of the San Francisco 49er’s and the Giants, and also liked Johnny Cash, the Beatles and Creedence Clearwater Revival. He enjoyed cribbage, taking walks with the dog, and visiting with his kids and grandchildren. Gene was very loving and always had patience to listen to anyone who spoke to him.

After retiring early at age 55, Gene took Carla and the dog cross-country in the RV to visit all the historic sites they had always wanted to see. They spent time with family back in Wisconsin, as well as the deserts of Arizona and Nevada hunting for gold, before returning to Idaho. Gene enjoyed finding gold and meteorites with his metal detector in his golden years.

Gene is preceded in death by his eight brothers, Clint, Claude, Roger, Lawrence, Joe, Paul, Dan and David; four sisters, Rita, Alice, Lucy and Rosemary; and several nieces and nephews. He is survived by his wife, Carla Semanko; three sons and a daughter, Norm Semanko (Svetlana) of Eagle, Keith Semanko of Coeur d’Alene, Eric Semanko (Michelle) of Stephenson, Mich., and LeAnn Semanko of San Diego, Calif.; four grandchildren; two sisters, Norma Blessing of Rice Lake, Wis., and Clara LaFaive of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. South, Nampa, before Gene is laid to rest back home in Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cancer Care Center, 1512 12th Ave. Road, Nampa, ID 83686, in memory of Eugene J. Semanko. An online guest book may be signed at www.nampafuneralhome.com.