Earl P. Jaeger

Earl P. Jaeger, age 92 of Westby, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Earl P. Jaeger, age 92 of Westby, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. He was born at rural Westby on September 20, 1915 to Rudolph and Minnie (Blihovde) Jaeger. He married Elaine Larson on January 16, 1942 at the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church in Westby. He was a 1934 graduate of Westby High School, completed a course in accounting, business administration and office management, and completed numerous seminars pertaining to the operation and management of a rural electric Cooperative. Mr. Jaeger served 46 months in the U.S. Army which took him across North Africa to Tunis, then to Sardinia, Corsica and Italy. He was a member of the American Legion Syverson-Funk Post 155 of Westby since 1945 and served as president and treasurer for years. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 3032 of Viroqua since 1971. He served several other organizations: Westby Kiwanis Club since 1961, Board Directors of Westby Area School as secretary, Board of Directors Westby Coop Credit Union, and Board of Directors Westby Areas Cooperatives and Vernon Cooperative Association. He was a member of the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church and served on Church Council and other committees. He was a life member of the Coon Prairie Preservation and Westby Historical Society. Mr. Jaeger was employed for 50 years, including the 46 months in military service, at the Vernon Electric Cooperative in Westby as accountant, office manager and general manager for 26 years. His hobbies included photography and traveling. He had visited Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, England, Scotland, Norway, Alaska and most parts of the U.S.A. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; one daughter, Ellen Jaeger La Bounta of Apple Valley, MN; one son, Gary (Marie) Jaeger of New Prague, MN; two grandchildren: Angela Kane and Nicholas Jaeger both of Rose Mount, MN; one great-grandson, Ryan Jaeger; one brother, Roger (Pat) Jaeger of Westby; three sisters: Irene Munson of Westby, Helen Running of La Crosse, Ida Mae Peterson of La Crosse. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruth Larson; son-in-law, Gerald C. La Bounta. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church with Pastor Julie Wollman officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main Street (Hwy 14) in Westby. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday after 12:00 noon until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers or plants memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.