Obituary for A.E. “Gene” Van Wie August Eugene Van Wie –“Gene” was born on November 21, 1935 in Indianola, Iowa. He was the only child of Peter A. and Karna (Juline) Van Wie. Gene and his parents moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, where he graduated from Grand Island Senior High School with the class of 1953.
He continued his education at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) where he graduated in 3 years with his undergraduate degree. In 1960, Gene graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and began his medical career. On November 19, 1960 he was united in marriage to Connie Joy Underberg of Broken Bow.
They were married in Grand Island, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. Gene completed an internship at Methodist Hospital in Omaha in 1961 and his Surgical Fellowship at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 1967. He received a Masters degree in Surgery from the University of Minnesota in 1966, and was certified by the American College of Surgeons in 1967.
After completing his surgical training at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Van Wie became a Captain in the United States Air Force and served the military and their families for 2 years. He then set up his surgical practice in Grand Island. After retirement from his private surgical practice he worked at the Grand Island VA Hospital, again providing medical care to the military(veterans).
Medical societies included: Hall County Medical Society, Nebraska Medical Association, American Medical Association, Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgery and Priestly Society -Mayo Clinic. His medical staff privileges included: St. Francis Medical Center, Aurora Memorial Hospital, Litzenberg Memorial Hospital, Howard County Hospital and Grand Island VA Hospital. Gene served as former Chief of Staff at St. Francis Medical Center and the VA Medical Center.
He was a past member of the Board of Directors at St. Francis Hospital and was instrumental in the development of the Doctors Building associated with St. Francis. Dr. Van Wie was on the Board of the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association and served on the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association for 6 years. Other community involvement included: member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Commercial National Bank Board of Directors, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce and Riverside Golf Club.
He served on the Board of Directors for Johnsons Lake Chamber of Commerce and was part of the political action committee to develop Johnsons Lake into a Village. Enjoyments included hunting and fishing, pedal car and antique car collecting and restoration, and spending time at Johnsons Lake (his sanctuary). Survivors include his wife, Connie; son, Scott and Jana Van Wie of Grand Island, daughter, Karly Jean and Dan Olson of Omaha and five grandchildren, Kayla Van Wie, Krista (Van Wie) Beel (husband Mason Beel), Lucas Van Wie, Elle Olson and Grey Olson.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of A.E. “Gene” Van Wie please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , DEC 6. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM All Faiths Funeral Home 2929 S Locust St Grand Island, NE, US, 68801 allfaiths@giallfaiths.com www.
giallfaiths.com/ Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before “Gene”‘s Visitation begins. Celebration of Life Service , DEC 7. 10:30 AM St. Stephens Episcopal Church 422 West 2nd St. Grand Island, NE, US Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Service Guaranteed delivery before “Gene”‘s Celebration of Life Service begins.
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