George Bliese

George Bliese, 87, Wausau , died Monday, December 1, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice.

George C. Bliese was born January 15, 1921 in Wausau to the late Carl and Ida (Petrich) Bliese. He attended Zion Lutheran School in Wausau and graduated from Wausau Senior High School in 1939. George worked as a butcher for his father before and after he served his country in WWII. During WWII, he served in the Army Air Corps in the Philippines and Guam . After working for his father, George worked as a millwright for Marathon Corp. later American Can, until the day he retired. George married the love of his life, Neta Kegler, on December 11, 1943 in Colorado Springs , CO and the couple spent 59 wonderful years together prior to Neta’s death in 2003.

George was always a proud German man, a child of the Depression with a deep sense of tradition. He was always a man of profound faith and was active in Zion Lutheran Church and school, serving as a basketball coach for a time. In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and tinkering with machinery. For over thirty years, George and Neta were campers at Campers Haven, Tomahawk and for seventeen years they wintered in Mesa , AZ. They developed close knit groups of friends in both places. He enjoyed bowling and shuffleboard throughout his life, winning numerous awards and trophies in both. George’s greatest love was reserved for his grandchildren of whom he was always extremely proud.

George is survived by his son, Tom (Harriet) Bliese of Mankato, MN; daughter, Barbara (Gary) Langbecker of Wausau; five grandchildren, Sacha (Steven) VanDeZande, Brianna (Isaac) Kerry, Paul (Angela) Langbecker, Malia Langbecker and Danielle (fiancé, Jeff Ojala) Langbecker. He is also survived by his brother, David (Carole) Bliese and his faithful companion, his black lab, Riley. George is preceded in death by his brother, Earl; and sisters, Mildred “Billie”, Adeline “Addie”, Mabel “Mickey”, and Marion.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM , Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at Helke Funeral Home. Pastor Joel Schmalz will be officiating. Visitation will begin at 3:00 PM on Monday, December 8, 2008 at Helke Funeral Home and conclude at 7:00 PM . There will also be visitation one hour before the funeral service. You may sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com .

The family wishes to thank Ministry Home Care Hospice for their loving assistance and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.