Paul George Vehige

Paul George Vehige, 78, passed away on January 23, 2023, in Everett, Washington due to complications from cancer. Paul is survived by his sons, Donald Vehige and Brian Vehige, both of Seattle, Washington, and three brothers, Lemoine Vehige, Henry Vehige, and John Vehige, and his sister Diane Sitzer. He is also survived by his former wife, Christine Kelly, of Pardeeville, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leander Vehige and Loretta Vehige, brothers Danny Vehige, Leander Vehige, Jr, and Charlie Vehige, and sister Rosalie Kothe. Paul grew up on the Vehige farm near O’Fallon, Missouri. After graduating from high school, Paul attended the University of Missouri in Columbia and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Husbandry. He was a member of the Missouri National Guard during his years as a student at the university and was called to active duty during the unrest in Kansas City, Missouri in 1968. Paul’s heart was always with the farming communities of the Midwest. After graduation from the University of Missouri, he had a long and distinguished career in the agriculture industry, including over 20 years of service with Westfalia Surge in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Eventually, GEA Farm Technologies acquired Westfalia Surge, and they asked Paul to move to Naperville, Illinois to work in the company’s U.S. headquarters. Later, Paul finished his career with The Coburn Company in Whitewater, Wisconsin. He retired in 2013 and moved to Everett, Washington in 2014 to be closer to his sons. While living in Rockford, Illinois in the 1970s and 80s, Paul earned his private pilot's license and then pursued a passion for flying for the rest of his life. Paul was a talented craftsman and spent much of his free time working on home remodeling and home improvement projects. Paul was synonymous with respect, fairness, and helpfulness. Regardless of one’s station in life, Paul treated everyone with the utmost dignity and respect, which is just one of many reasons he will be dearly missed. In accordance with Paul’s wishes, there will be no formal ceremony. At his request, and in line with his love of the natural world and the landscapes of the Upper Midwest, there will be a spreading of his ashes in La Crosse, Wisconsin at a later date.