Alphonse E. Bisek, age 79, of Whitehall, died on Thursday, February 16, 2006, in the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.

Alphonse was born on the family farm in Plum Creek, rural Independence, Wis., on May 31, 1926, to John and Agnes (Mozdzen) Bisek. He was baptized, received first communion and was confirmed at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Independence. Alphonse attended Independence parochial and public schools.

Alphonse married Bernita Krause on January 3, 1956, in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Winona, Minn. He was employed as a meat grader at the Whitehall Packing Company for 20 years. He then worked at Mondovi Foods in Whitehall for a short time and then at the TRW plant in Ettrick prior to his retirement in 1994.

Alphonse was a member of Saint John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall since 1959. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3825 and was a 3rd degree Knight. Alphonse was also a church usher for many years.

Alphonse loved visiting with family and friends, caring for his home and yard, taking drives throughout the countryside to see the field crops and fishing.

Alphonse is survived by his wife, Bernita; a daughter, Callista (Newt) Gingrich of McLean, Va.; three sisters-in-law, Martha and Bernice Bisek both of Independence and Catherine Krause of Winona; a brother-in-law, Linton Krause of Winona, Minn.; many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his parents, Alphonse was preceded in death by six brothers, Frank, Thomas, Benedict, Emil, Louis and Aloizy Bisek; four sisters, Rose (Joe) Sylla, Theresa (Alex) Wozney, Teckla (Roman) Kulig and Martha (Ernest) Bautch; two half brothers, John (Teckla) and Andrew Bisek; two half sisters, Sophie Gawel and Frances (John) Micek.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall, with the Very Rev. Douglas C. Robertson officiating. Burial will be in Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Independence.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 21, 2006, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall where a Christian prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary.

Friends may also call one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.

Memorials may be designated to Saint John’s Parish Endowment Trust or the American Cancer Society.

Alphonse E. Bisek, age 79, of Whitehall, died on Thursday, February 16, 2006, in the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.

Alphonse was born on the family farm in Plum Creek, rural Independence, Wis., on May 31, 1926, to John and Agnes (Mozdzen) Bisek. He was baptized, received first communion and was confirmed at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Independence. Alphonse attended Independence parochial and public schools.

Alphonse married Bernita Krause on January 3, 1956, in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Winona, Minn. He was employed as a meat grader at the Whitehall Packing Company for 20 years. He then worked at Mondovi Foods in Whitehall for a short time and then at the TRW plant in Ettrick prior to his retirement in 1994.

Alphonse was a member of Saint John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall since 1959. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3825 and was a 3rd degree Knight. Alphonse was also a church usher for many years.

Alphonse loved visiting with family and friends, caring for his home and yard, taking drives throughout the countryside to see the field crops and fishing.

Alphonse is survived by his wife, Bernita; a daughter, Callista (Newt) Gingrich of McLean, Va.; three sisters-in-law, Martha and Bernice Bisek both of Independence and Catherine Krause of Winona; a brother-in-law, Linton Krause of Winona, Minn.; many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his parents, Alphonse was preceded in death by six brothers, Frank, Thomas, Benedict, Emil, Louis and Aloizy Bisek; four sisters, Rose (Joe) Sylla, Theresa (Alex) Wozney, Teckla (Roman) Kulig and Martha (Ernest) Bautch; two half brothers, John (Teckla) and Andrew Bisek; two half sisters, Sophie Gawel and Frances (John) Micek.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall, with the Very Rev. Douglas C. Robertson officiating. Burial will be in Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Independence.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 21, 2006, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall where a Christian prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary.

Friends may also call one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.

Memorials may be designated to Saint John’s Parish Endowment Trust or the American Cancer Society.