George R. Lyga
George R. Lyga, 88, of Independence, died peacefully, Friday, February 7, 2025, at Gundersen Tri County Hospital in Whitehall.
George was born May 22, 1936, in Buffalo County, to George A. and Marion (Hagenbarth) Lyga. He married Ethel Wivelstad, October 30, 1954. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. George worked for C.J. Woychik Construction, then later at R.J. Jurowski Construction as a crane operator. He was a proud member of Local 139 Operating Engineers for 57 years.
George enjoyed fishing, hunting, old cars, swap meets and garage sales. After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed their daily visit to East End for a soda and a shake a day.
Survivors include his wife, Ethel; and seven children: Delores (Jim) Woychik of Bloomington, MN, David (Cindy) Lyga of Arcadia, WI, Bob (Kim) Lyga of Necedah, WI, Sharon (Dave) Robinsonof Whitehall, WI, Julie (Chris) Demulling of Whitehall, WI, Lois (Stacy) Mayer of Fairchild, WI, and Cindy Crebo of Whitehall, WI.
He and his wife have been blessed with 15 grandchildren: Rachael (Josh) Julson, Jennelle (Chris Schmidt) Lang, Amber (Travis Sonnentag) Robinson, Nic (Kayla) Lyga, Jenny (Gunnar) Blegen, Derek (Andrea) Robinson, Caleb (Elizabeth) Tamke, Lance (Haylei) Lyga, Brooke Mayer, Cole (Jamie) Demulling, Aaron (Emilee) Crebo, Brittney (Trent) Preissner, Kaylie (Tristan Langer) Mayer, Madelyn (Eli Swenson) Crebo and Jackson Crebo. They have also been blessed with 13 great-grandchildren: Arias Lang, Audrianna Darnell, Elliot, Lily and Emma Robinson, Brooks and Ellie Blegen, Olivia Lyga, Melania and Mila Crebo, Asher Tamke, Margot and Camden Demulling.
George is also survived by two sisters: Mary Ann (Thomas) Bender and Doris Anderson; sisters-in-law: Sheila Lyga and Evelyn Lyga; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters: Rosemary Shook and infant, Mary; brothers: William, Donald and infant, John. He was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law: Dean Anderson and Ronald Shook; as well as niece, Susan Bender; and infant twin nieces: Dawn and Denise Lyga.
Services will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Independence. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. A meal will follow in the church basement.
A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Special thanks to all the staff: Dr. Megan Klomps-McClung at Gunderson Tri-County Clinic and Hospital, Whitehall, for all the excellent care, including Dr. Balaji and Dr. Choke in La Crosse.
