January 23, 2020 – West Bend, WI – Alden “Al” Belongia, 86, of West Bend died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, January 20, 2020 at his residence. He was born May 31, 1933 in the Town of Chili in Clark County, WI to Fred and Clara (nee DeGrande) Belongia.
On May 17, 1958 Al was united in marriage to Donna Mae Andersen at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend.
Al served in the US Army from 1953 until 1955. Following his discharge he returned home to farm. From 1958 until 1970 he worked at White House Dairy and for 2 years after that he hauled milk cans for Gordie Kluever. He then began dairy farming full time and eventually changed over to raising beef cattle. Al also worked at the KC Hall for 25 years and retired from the Columbian and from farming in 2016.
Farming was Al’s passion in life along with his love of the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed collecting toy tractors, antiques and license plates as well as travelling in his earlier years.
He was a member of the Fr. Casper Rehrl Council 1964 Knights of Columbus since 1957.
Al is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna, 5 children: Patti (Scott) Lofy of Hartford, Laurie Belongia of West Bend, Shelli (Greg) Herrmann of Branch, WI, Mike (Jeannine) Belongia of West Bend and Rick (Lisa) Belongia of West Bend and 8 grandchildren: Aaron (Emily) Lofy, Kevin Lofy, Mitchell Hader, Krystle Hader, Jennifer (Troy) Vraney, Jessica (Adam) Krepline, Kayla (fiancé Matt Voight) Belongia and Melissa Belongia. He is further survived by his 5 great-grandchildren: George, Ella and Oliver Lofy and Bella and Eva Krepline, 4 siblings: Sr. Catherine Belongia, Sr. Patricia Belongia, Matthew (Kathleen) Belongia, Toots (Veronica) ( Darrell) Davidson, 2 sisters-in-law Jerilyn (Tom) Fischer and Colleen Belongia and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Clara Belongia, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Kenneth and Elva Andersen, 4 brothers: Emerson, Myron, Clayton and James Belongia and his sister Roseann (James) Beranek.
At Al’s request there will be no public funeral service. If you wish to give a memorial in Al’s name the family requests they be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Al’s famous last words:
“Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day”
“Better Days Are Coming”
He never swore a day in his life except for “Dad Blasted”
“Signing off” till we meet again
“AJB”
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family.
