Casey T. Vallee

Casey T. Vallee, of Boulder Junction, passed away on Sept. 8, 2013 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, WI. Survivors include his two children Denise (Charlie) Sauter, of Rhinelander, WI; Brian (Karen) Vallee of Hartford, WI; four grandchildren, Emma and Aaron Sauter, and Christopher and David Vallee. He is further survived by other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, his nephew Paul, and his loving wife, Sue. Casey was born on May 1st, 1927 in Berclair, Texas. He was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, enlisted and proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1945 to 1952, and attended Elmhurst College before moving and settling in the Milwaukee area. He worked in Production Control for Louis Allis, Harley Davidson, and retired from Tecumseh Power Products in Grafton. Casey was a very proud Marine, enlisting during World War II. He was honorably discharged, then re-enlisted the next day. He served his country in Korea with the 1st Marine Division, and was one of the “Chosin Few,” enduring one of the most arduous battles of the conflict, the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, during one of the coldest winters on record. He participated in several other campaigns, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1952. Among other distinctions, Casey was an expert rifleman, and received two good conduct medals, a UN medal, and two Presidential Unit Citations. Casey met his life partner, Sue, in 1958, and they were married on April 23rd, 1960. They moved into the home they built in Menomonee Falls, WI. Their daughter, Denise was born in 1962, and son, Brian in 1964. They relocated to Hartford, WI in 1972. After their retirement, Casey and Sue moved to their “cabin in the woods” that they built in Natural Lakes north of Boulder Junction. Casey never stopped remodeling. He loved building, adding on, or simply fixing things up. He was an avid woodworker, making everything from a china cabinet crafted from a tree in his backyard to, most recently, beautiful fireplace bellows. A lover of the northwoods, Casey loved fishing and camping “up north” with family and friends. He was a rock hounding enthusiast, and he and Sue took many trips seeking out the best ‘rocking’ adventures. He loved gathering with friends, and thoroughly enjoyed everything with them from elaborate theme parties hosted in their Hartford home to houseboat trips on the Mississippi, vacations throughout the country, and even a sailing trip to the Virgin Islands. Casey was a member of the Community Church of Boulder Junction, and was a very dedicated steward for the Community Food Pantry; always willing to drive many miles to pick up food, or offer his talents and services for any given project. Casey was deeply honored by and cherished two experiences this past year – he was able to fly on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight to Washington, DC in May, and traveled to Branson, MO with his son, Brian in August to attend a reunion of Item Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division – a reunion of 18 proud Item Company veterans who served together in Korea. Casey was a very loving husband, a gentle and patient father, a wonderful ‘Bapa’ to his four grandchildren, and a very devoted friend. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him. A memorial service will be held on Sat. Sept. 14, 2013 at 2 PM at the Community Church of Boulder Junction, with a time of gathering one-hour prior. Military Honors will be held after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight (P.O. Box 5056, Wausau, WI 54402-5056) or the Community Food Pantry of Boulder Junction (PO Box 14, Boulder Jct, WI 54512).

Casey T. Vallee

May 1, 1927 - September 8, 2013