George John Alt, age 67, passed away unexpectedly on Thurs. Sept. 7, 2017 on what would have been his mother's 99th birthday. From his unexpected arrival two months premature through his final tractor ride, George lived life to the fullest. He was born in Reedsburg on Dec. 9, 1949 to Alphonse J. and Florence M. (Liegel) Alt. He was named after his two Grandfathers and at a tiny 2 pounds was brought home in a shoebox. He wasn't expected to live. But this was the first of many examples of George succeeding when others doubted.



As a student, although he had his moments with the nuns at St Luke's School--he who laughs first gets blamed for everything--he triumphed with kitchen table study sessions with his mom. George graduated from River Valley High School in 1968. He was united in marriage to Jeanne R. Butler at St. Luke's in Plain on Nov. 15, 1969.



George spent his nearly 50-year career working with glass at Auto Glass Specialists, Lake City Glass, Portage and Baraboo Glass, and then in 1980, he and Jeanne started Sauk Prairie Glass. Although he had to work hard in school he could multiply fractions in his head on the job when measuring glass.



George enjoyed tractors, farming, hunting, and raising beef cattle, but most of all, he loved spending time with his six grandchildren, proudly being their Papa. George had the gift of gab with friends of all ages, making anyone he encountered feel comfortable and valued. George looked forward to family events and enjoyed 28 years on Big Silver Lake with family and many special friends. On Sunday afternoons when he wasn't riding his Harley-Davidson with Jeanne he worked his part-time job "coaching" the Packers—although they didn't always listen. He had a knack for making up words that fit a particular situation and identifying just the right nickname for those close to him.



He is survived by Jeanne, his wife, business partner, and soul mate; his two children he loved deeply--daughter Melissa (Jason) Alt Goll and son Matthew Alt; his 6 grandchildren—Ean ("George"), Dylan ("Fonzie"), Ava ("A…V…A"), and Oliver ("White 270") Goll, Emma ("E…A…G…A…C…A"), and Carter ("Carter Man") Alt; and Deena Leister, mother of Emma and Carter. He is also survived by siblings: Edith (Richard) Hochstetter of Albany; Joanne (John) Acomb of Beloit; Alice (David) Dischler of Neshkoro; Margie (Jim) Ries of Belleville; Allan (Sue) Alt of Cross Plains, a brother in-law Richard Conway of Dodgeville, and a sister-in-law Carol Alt of Madison; Jeanne's family, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Conway, brother, Robert Alt, and infant sister, Katherine.



A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thurs. Sept. 14, 2017 at St. Luke's Catholic Church, 1290 Nachreiner Ave., Plain with Fr. John Silva officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wed. Sept. 13 at the church and also one hour prior to mass. Interment will be in the Otter Creek Cemetery, Sumpter Township. George was a casual man. Please honor him by wearing casual attire to the service.



In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sauk Prairie FFA, Walleye of Wisconsin LTD, or the Otter Creek Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com