Eugene “Gene” J. Carlisle

Eugene “Gene” James Carlisle, M.D., 84, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away at Hillview Health Care Campus on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy.

Gene was born May 27, 1942, in Woodstock, Illinois, the son of James and Greta Hutson Carlisle.

He graduated from Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock in 1960. He completed a 3-year, pre-med training program at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1963, and graduated from Cardinal Stritch Loyola School of Medicine in 1967. He completed his internship at Rockford Memorial Hospital in 1968.

Following medical school, he served from 1968 to 1970 as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps at Camp Pendleton, California, where he commanded a field hospital during the Vietnam War.

He completed a general surgery residency in Milwaukee in 1971, followed by an orthopedic surgery residency at Upstate University Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, in 1974. He was among the early orthopedic surgeons trained in joint-replacement procedures.

In 1974, Gene moved his family to La Crosse, where he practiced orthopedic surgery at Franciscan Skemp/Mayo Medical Center for 35 years. He greatly enjoyed his chosen profession and, especially, the people with whom he worked.

Outside of medicine, Gene enjoyed working on his hobby farm with his tractor and fixing things. His craftsmanship and ability to work with his hands led to many hobbies including: working on classic cars (and modern ones) with his sons, metal fabrication, landscaping, home remodeling (including the restoration of the historic Holway House on Cass Street) and even computer programming.

Gene married Mariel Liddiard of Waukon, Iowa, in 1964; they later divorced. He then married Phyllis Vorderberg (Ihlefeld), in 1986, with whom he shared his later years.

Gene will be remembered with love by his wife, Phyllis; his sons, Stephen Carlisle, M.D. (Liz George), David Carlisle, Kevin Carlisle (Carey Lathrop), Jeff Vorderberg (stepson, Lisa Houchin) and Brian Carlisle.

He is survived by his thirteen grandchildren: Allison, M.D.; Aubrey; Katherine; Lauren; Angelina; Kendra; Justin; Preston; Andrew; Simon; Marielle; Peter; and Josephine. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Berkheimer of Norman, Oklahoma, and Bernice Nevsimal of Woodstock, Illinois, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Greta Hutson Carlisle and by his brothers, Thomas and Phillip.

Gene will be remembered for his devotion to family, dedication to medicine, his generosity and willingness to work with his hands. He approached life with purpose, energy, and a desire to make things better.

Visitation for Eugene will be held Monday, September 21, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crosse. A private service and burial will be held at a later date and time.

Memorial donations in Gene’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Smile Train.