Gerald Martin Ekern

Gerald Martin EkernSeptember 15, 2005 He began teaching at Pleasant Valley School in rural La Crosse and later moved to Longfellow Middle School where he taught seventh grade math. He continued his own education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse earning his bachelor and masters degrees in Education and Audio Visual Technology. In May 1995, he retired after 36 years of teaching. He married Karen Vitcenda June 4, 1960 and served in the US Army from 1962 to 1964. He began carving as a hobby in 1987. He traveled with Karen to many places including Alaska and Winnipeg, Canada attending competitions, shows, and classes as well as teaching carving classes. Many wonderful friendships formed through all the classes held in his home studio. Jerry enjoyed times with family. He also liked to fish, trap, hunt, travel, and camp. He was a member of Westby Coon Prairie Church, Wisconsin and National Education Associations, Mid-Wisconsin Chipper Association, and Coulee Region Wood Carvers. He was also affiliated with the Wood Carvers Association in La Crosse in charge of the Mid-summer Carving Show at Norskedahlen and received a gold medal in carving from the Vesterheim Norwegian American Musuem in Decorah, Iowa. Gerald is survived by his wife, Karen of Westby; his mother-in-law, Hazel Vitcenda, also of Westby; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Larry Jansen of Harlem, MT; and 5 siblings: Lois (James) Gailbraithe of Tallahassee, FL; Betty (Ron) Suiter of Racine, WI; Sandra (George) Nelson of Eau Claire, WI; Kathy (David) Stefferud of Cashton, WI; and James (Paula) Ekern of Westby; and sister-in-law Kathy Ekern of Westby. Additionally, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends: Mike and Jill Weninger and their children: Dylan, Sarah, Allison, and Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law, Carl Vitcenda, and his brother, Marvin "Marty" Ekern.