George Valiga

George Paul Valiga, 93, of Phillips, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 16, 2024. George was born to Mary (Potocek) and Andrew Valiga, on March 25, 1931. He married Alice Baker on January 25, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

George graduated from Phillips High School, class of 1949. While still in high school, George and his brother, Joe, started the Valiga Brothers Mink Ranch. He raised mink for 75 years retiring at age 90. George was a US Army veteran serving in the Korean War 1952-1954 and a member of VFW Post 5778. He was a City of Phillips Police Officer for 20 years and served on the Phillips School Board and local CESA board for 39 years.

George loved being outdoors, fishing, hunting, and just being outside. He enjoyed playing cards with family members and in his later years played a daily cribbage game with Alice. George was a great storyteller and entertained us with his life stories. He enjoyed watching the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers.

He is survived his wife Alice, sons Tom (Patty), George, John and daughters Terri (Keith) Behling and Charlene (Darrell) Johnson; grandchildren, John (Sammy), Nikki (Ryan) Sidenbender, Jason (Nikki), Jordan (Victoria), Michael (Becky) Behling, Rachel Behling, Chantel Miller, and Brycen (Alyssa); great grandchildren Liam, Rylie, Aubrey, Jackson, Charlie, Poppy, Casey, Emma and Lucy. George is also survived by his dear sisters-in-law, brothers- in-law, nieces, nephews and life-long friend Louie Vokurka.

George was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Andrew; sisters Mary (Walter) Stanek, and Anne (Michael) Watral; brothers Andy, Michael, John (Betty)and Joe; and nephew Carl Valiga.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 655 S. Lake Ave, Phillips, WI, 54555 with Father Madanu Lourdu Raju officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until the time of the service at the church. Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home is assisting the family.