Alphonse "Al" A. Kulig

Alphonse Anthony Kulig died peacefully Saturday, June 15, at Tri-County Care Center, Whitehall, Wisconsin. Al was born March 29, 1923, to Anna (Slaby) and Louis Kulig in Whitehall, Wisconsin. He graduated from Independence High School and attended vocational school in Eau Claire until drafted. Al served in the Pacific Theater, WWII, and was honorably discharged from the US Navy as a radarman 2nd class. He later enjoyed a successful baseball career as a pitcher. Al earned his bachelor’s degree from Winona State Teachers College (now WSU). . Undefeated in four years of conference baseball there, he was later inducted into WSU’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He enjoyed hunting and was an avid sports fan, and particularly enjoyed the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Braves. Al married Virginia (“Ginny”) Wright, on September 15, 1956, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona, MN. Together they raised five children. From Winona, they relocated to Independence where Al worked as a salesman, and later purchased his brother’s wholesale distributorship, operating it as the Kulig Candy Company. In his “retirement” years, Al transported clients to the Occupational Rehabilitation Center in Arcadia; he also delivered Meals on Wheels. Al’s Catholic faith was the cornerstone of his life; he was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Parish where he was among the first group of Eucharistic ministers, serving in that capacity for about 25 years. He was a fourth degree Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council member. Among his other involvements were many years of work at the parish fall festivals and Independence Days celebrations. Above all, Al was devoted to his family who all have fond memories of his humor, love, support and sacrifices. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 56 years, Ginny; his sons Kevin (Kelli Rogers) of Trempealeau, Brian of Winona, and Shaun (Beth Anne) of Waukesha, WI, parents of his precious grandchildren Sydney and Layne; and daughter Dr. Kimary Kulig (Omar Vargas) of New York City. He is further survived by his godchildren Renee Cisewski-Brandt and Matthew Wright; sisters-in-law Delores Kulig, Sylvia Wright and Linda Wright; and brothers-in-law Michael Wright and Phillip Wright, as well as many very special cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Al was preceded in death by his daughter Kristin in 2006; brothers Aloizy, Bernard, and Edward; and sisters Sister Mary Euphrosine, Tracy Bautch and Mary Schenewerk. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, with a prayer service and rosary at 7:30. There will also be visitation Thursday at Ss. Peter & Paul Church one hour before the 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by the Reverend Timothy Oudenhoven. Military rites and burial in the church cemetery will follow. Suggested memorials are the SSPP Church Restoration Fund or to the family for designation to Al’s favorite causes. “Thanks, Dad, with love, for the gifts of life and faith. Catch you later at that big ‘diamond in the sky!’” To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alphonse "Al" A. Kulig, please visit our flower store.