George E. Saldana, 61, Holmen, Wisconsin (formerly Royalton)

August 28, 1953 - November 16, 2014

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Rice, MN for George E. Saldana, age 61 of Holmen, WI and formerly of Royalton, MN who passed away Sunday, November 16, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Holmen, WI, with parish prayers at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Rice, MN, with parish prayers at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the services Saturday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids, MN.

George was born August 28, 1953 in Moose Lake, MN to George and Eileen (Damm) Saldana. He graduated from Sauk Rapids High School in 1971. On July 12, 1975 he married the love of his life, Cindy Solorz. They farmed in Rice, MN for five years. George spent the next 17 years driving truck for Pueringer/Multifoods and the last 15 years driving truck for Walmart. George enjoyed spending time outdoors, camping, and barbequing. He also enjoyed entertaining family and friends. He was a diehard Vikings fan and enjoyed watching the game with the neighbors. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a very hard working man with a heart of gold. His smile and laugh will be missed by all who knew him. He especially loved spending time with his eight grandkids by giving them rides on the tractor and making them laugh by talking like Donald Duck.

George is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Cindy; children, George (Lisa) of Little Falls, MN, Heidi (Brian) Pyka of Royalton, MN, Bobby (Kari Krzyzaniak) of Royalton, MN, Holly (Chase) Sosalla of Trempealeau, WI; grandchildren, George, Jenna, Janea, Jolaynah Saldana, Jacob, Brandon, Alivia Pyka, and Croix Sosalla; mother, Eileen Saldana of Rice, MN; sister, Kathy (Chuck) Balk of Baxter, MN; brothers, Mark (Roxie) of Rice, MN, Gerald (Kim) of Sauk Rapids, MN, and Larry of Royalton, MN; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Doreen Solorz of Clear Lake, MN; sisters-in-law, Becky (Bill) Holker of Clear Lake, MN and Kim Danell of St. Cloud, MN; and brother-in-law, Randy Solorz of St. Cloud, MN.

George was preceded in death by his son, Jesse; father, George; brother, Harvey; and brother-in-law, Rusty Solorz.