Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 60 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
George Schalinske
George Chester Schalinske, 94, of rural Eau Claire, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, surrounded by his loving family.
George was born March 5, 1929, in Boy River, Minnesota, son of George and Lula (Moss) Schalinske. Until the age of 8 he lived in the Boy River area and then his family moved to Ludington Township, just north of Augusta on highway 27. Here he attended school and also helped on the family farm.
George was united in marriage to Betty Helen Plankey on Dec. 29, 1948, at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church in Eau Claire. The couple lived all their married life in Seymour Township where they raised their 7 children and also took in and gave a loving home to over 40 foster children. Betty passed away on Feb. 21, 2012, after 63 years of marriage.
For over 68 years he was a member of the General Laborer’s Union # 268. He mainly worked in concrete construction and the prep set up for commercial contractors and mostly in the Eau Claire area. His first employer was Hagman and Hanson Construction, then L.G. Arnold and when he retired at the age of 62 he was working at Market and Johnson where he had worked over 30 years. Off and on during his career he worked side jobs for other contractors, one of his more interesting side jobs was building the coal stacks in Alma.
After he retired he had more time for fishing and hunting. His favorite pastime was done mostly in Wisconsin, but when taking trips out west to visit family he always packed his fishing rod. He also looked forward to the family camping trips and especially enjoyed spending time at the cabin east of Augusta. This cabin was built by George’s great grandfather and is now still being enjoyed by the 5th and 6th generations of Schalinskes.
George was deeply loved by his family and he looked forward to the weekly Tuesday night suppers at his home, not knowing who was going to be there but knowing for certain several games of dirty clubs would be played. He was a real trooper, when asked he was always willing to go anywhere and do anything at the drop of a hat. Before and after his retirement he always had time to help his family whenever he could. He will be remembered as a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, and great great grandpa, who was always there for you and someone who enjoyed playing BINGO, going to the casinos and placing an occasional bet here and there.
George is survived by his 2 sons, George and Connie Schalinske of St. Joe, Indiana, Paul and Helen Schalinske of Eau Claire; 4 daughters, Sue and Jeff Smigla of Elk Mound, Mary and Lloyd Peterson of Cadott, Norma and Mike Dehnke of Fall Creek, Renee Rudawski of Eau Claire; 19 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter; brother Dale Schalinske Sr. of Augusta; sister Rosella Roths of New Auburn; other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his wife Betty, George was also preceded in death by his parents; son Thomas in August of 1971; great grandson Grayson Schalinske; and siblings, Albert Schalinske in infancy, Betty Ludwig and Raymond Schalinske.
A Celebration of Life for George will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Gizmo’s Bar and Grill at 110 E. Lincoln Street in Fall Creek.
Burial will be at a later date in St. Bridget’s Cemetery, rural Chippewa Falls.
The family is assisted by Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.
Obituary to follow later.
