Eugene F. "Bushy" Korder

Eugene (Bushy) F. Korder, Winona, MN, shuffled off this mortal coil on February 16, 2026, at 7:12 a.m. to be forever in the arms of the Lord and join his wife, Ruth Ann (1937-2014), and his son, Vance (1960-1981), in the hereafter. He died at home and in his own bed, attended by family, at the age of 93.

He was born on May 8, 1932, in a farmhouse in Lincoln Township, WI, to Louise (Gille) and George Korder, who were working as sharecroppers during the Great Depression. Life was tough at times, and the family eventually settled in Winona, MN. He attended school at St. Joseph School and Cotter High School. Being the rebel he was, he did not finish high school. He was too busy riding motorcycles and chasing girls.

He joined the Air Force in 1951, the day after being jilted by a girlfriend, and retired as a TSGT in 1971 after serving twenty years and sixteen days in service to his country. He served in Korea (based out of Japan) from 1952 to 1954 and in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970.

A few years after joining the service, while home on leave, he met the love of his life, Ruth Ann Putz, and they married on July 30, 1955.

Soon after they started their family, Sherri (Millner) (1956), Dean (1959), Vance (1960), and Kristi (Robert Beeman) (1964) were all born in New York. Casey (Debby) (1965) was the only child born in Minnesota. The family moved with the Air Force from one side of the country, Vandenburg Air Force Base, CA, to the other, Plattsburgh Air Force Base, NY. Residing in Winona when Eugene was stationed overseas.

When Eugene retired from the Air Force, the family returned to Winona, MN. Eugene was promised an electrician's apprentice job upon his return, but that fell through. He worked at Maple Leaf Lanes, Schott Distributing Co., and Boelter Industries, Inc. Finally, he worked at McDonald's because his wife wanted him out of the house and out of her hair, but by then, he was tired of people telling him what to do and retired for good just to tinker around the house and get in Ruth’s way. They still traveled.

Sometimes taking many of the kids and grandkids along with them across the country. They tried to go on at least one trip every year and sometimes two or three.

Eugene was a quiet man. A man of faith. A man who loved cats and befriended stray people. He had a passion for motorcycles and shared that passion with his son, Casey, and grandson, Tony. He loved to collect items such as old electrical glass insulators, hubcaps, doorknobs, coins, old tools, oil cans, and railroad ties, among others. He had an infectious smile and a glint in his eyes. There was no one he couldn’t talk to. He loved spending time with his grandkids and living in “God’s country.” Whenever someone visited their inviting home, he always made sure they had something to drink. Many of the grandkids remember him chiding them to “shut that door” as they went in and out of the house.

Eugene suffered a stroke in 2009 outside the tri-oval track after watching stock car races in Wisconsin. He survived but was paralyzed on his right side and lost the ability to speak. After going to a nursing home where they proceeded to drop him on his head the first day, it was decided that Ruth would bring him home and that his son, Dean, would return home to help care for him as well. He thrived at home under their guidance. In 2014, after Ruth died, Dean became his caretaker, which he called “the greatest investment of time he ever made.”

He was a tank. Surviving against all odds. His favorite therapist at the VA, Deena Olson, told him he was one of the hardest-working patients she ever had. And he was. He woke up every morning with a smile on his face and ready to face the world. Even after all that had happened to him, he maintained a great disposition that was infectious. He communicated in many ways, even though he couldn’t speak. Out of sheer will, a strong faith in God, and the trust of loving caretakers, he lived for another sixteen years in his own home.

Eugene loved family. He loved his Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed watching Aryna Sabalenka play tennis, WWE, NASCAR, and scary movies. He lived a comfortable life while at home and was always happy to see family and friends. He was a member of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Parish in Winona.

Eugene’s life was marked by faith, resilience, devotion to family, and a quiet strength that carried him – and those who loved him – through every season.

He is survived by his grandchildren: Tony Korder (Chelsea), Kristal Millner, Patricia Ghost, Joshua Korder (Scarlett), Robert “Bucky” Beeman, Haley Beeman and Reylyn Korder. Twenty-one great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. All of them were always a source of great pride and joy.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Lloyd Korder (1923-1999), and is survived by his sister Kathleen (Katie) Van Cor (1925).

Funeral services will be held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 360 Main Street, Winona, on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Very Reverend Patrick Arens, will be at 12:00 p.m.

Following the Mass, military honors will be conducted outside of the Cathedral by the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 of Winona. A luncheon will follow in the church basement.

Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Eugene’s name to the American Legion Post 9 Burial Detail of Winona, ATTN: Sam Sasser 302 E. Sarnia St. Winona, MN 55987.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Eugene’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home of Winona.