George Jospeh Korpal, age 73, of Lake St. Croix Beach, MN, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2014 at his residence.

George was born April 14, 1941 in Waseca, MN to parents Joseph and Mary (Ignaszewski) Korpal. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy. George served four years as a welder with the SeaBees, and was stationed in the Antarctic as well as Guantanamo Bay during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He returned home and worked as  welder for several companies. George was united in marriage to Juneal Solid on August 20, 1971. They were blessed with two daughters, Cindy and Jill. In 1987, George started working for Great Western Recycling as a welder and performing machine maintenance. After 20 years at Great Western Recycling, George retired in 2007.

George was a dependable, hard working man who loved snowmobiling and hunting. He rode his Polaris snowmobiles with friends in Cook, MN as well as, Wyoming, Montana and even Yellowstone National Park (back when it was allowed). George also served as a snowmobile instructor for many years. He met the same group of friends deer hunting every fall, and turkey hunting in the spring. George was a member of the St. Croix Valley Lions Club. He enjoyed helping the Lions with the sale of their Herberger’s coupon books and chili feed tickets. George also enjoyed watching NASCAR, attending local tractor pulls and spending time with his family – always attending family gatherings and events, as well as going on camping trips together.

George is survived by his daughters, Cindy (Terry) Sweeney of Maplewood, MN, and Jill (significant other, Ralph “RP” Alvarez III) Korpal of Cottage Grove, MN; grandchildren, Shawn Sweeney of Saipan, Logan Sweeney of Maplewood, MN, Devin Sweeney of Maplewood, MN, and Ralphie Alvarez IV of Cottage Grove, MN; Siblings,Rosemary Matzdorf of Redwood Falls, MN; nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 40 years, Juneal; parents, Joseph and Mary (Ignaszewski) Korpal; sister, Victoria (brother-in-law Clarence) Sellner; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Matzdorf, and Joseph Siegienski.

A celebration of George’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 South 11th Street, Hudson, WI. A visitation will be held for one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery in Lakeland, MN. 

Memorials are preferred to Project New Hope, 21008 County Road 35, Underwood, MN 56586. www.projectnewhope.net