Argil "Al" Wendelin Stigen

After a life long-lived, passed away peacefully to be reunited with his wife and daughters on Sunday, July 1, 2018, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wisconsin. Al was born July 6, 1925, in Westby, Wisconsin, the 3rd son of Ella (Pedersen) and Nordahl Stigen, and was fondly known by his siblings as “Babe.” In March of 1944, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a refrigeration mechanic in the Phillippines during World War II. His Battalion was acknowledged for honor and distinction during a 67-day engagement with the enemy and credited as a major force in the liberation of Mindanao Island. He was honorably discharged in November, 1946, and returned to the States where he met his wife, Dorothy (Fleck) Stigen. They were married November 27, 1948, at St. Matthias Church in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Neillsville, Wisconsin. As a young father to three daughters, Al worked as a farmer and truck driver until his retirement, when he and Dorothy relocated to Rosholt, Wisconsin. Their hobby farm, raising pigs, chickens and sheep, and tending a large garden, became the family homestead that is fondly remembered by their grandchildren. In 2005 his family honored him with a Legacy Stone at The Highground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville. Quiet and unassuming, Al was widely loved by his family, and everyone’s favorite brother, uncle, cousin and friend.

Al is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy; daughters, Ellen Stigen, Catherine Bielmeier, and Gail Paschall. His passing is sadly felt by surviving family; sisters, Joyce Schultz, Gwen Gress, and Patricia Dupree; his son-in-law, James Bielmeier; his grandchildren, Robert (Lori) Kallio, Regina (Jason) Maline, Kirk (Julie) Kallio, Timothy Paschall, Kristine (Albert) Gilliard, and Matthew (Wynter) Kaminski; great-grandchildren, Sara Kallio, Michael Kallio, Knox Corbin, Alexander Kallio, Victoria (Nathan) Crabb, Rebecca (Ethan) Mules, Elijah Kallio, Houston Paschall, Justin Gilliard, Alexis Gilliard, Remington Kaminski, Joseph Maline, William Maline, and Nicholas Maline; and great-great-grandchildren, Aiden, Grayson, Lincoln and Benson Crabb.

A Memorial Service for Al will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday at the Gesche Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Al’s family with funeral arrangements.