Leroy Perkins

LeRoy Perkins, 76, of Westby, died Friday October 24, 2014. LeRoy Dale Perkins, age 76, passed away peacefully October 24, 2014. He made his journey to the heavens, surrounded by loving family at Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse. He was born in LaFarge on July 16,1938, to Keith and Cleo (Dickson) Perkins, who lived on Sugar Grove Ridge. Lee, as he was known around home, had two older sisters, Rose Marie and Mary Jane, a brother Elden (known as Petie), and two younger sisters, Judy and Linda. He attended elementary school at Sugar Grove School and church at the Sugar Grove Methodist Church, located across from the family farm. He attended Westby High School and graduated in 1956. After graduation from high school, he worked as a depot agent for the Northwestern Railroad. In 1959, he returned to school at Vernon County Teachers College in Viroqua and graduated with a teaching degree. Then he began teaching 7th and 8th grades in Readstown. In 1957, he met Donna Amundson, whom he later married on August 14, 1960. Lee and Donna purchased the root beer stand in Westby in 1962. In the meantime 'Perk', as LeRoy became known, was teaching and attending LaCrosse State Teachers College on Saturdays and summers to earn his bachelor's degree. He later attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and earned his masters degree in administration. In the fall of 1965, Perk began a new job at Norwalk Grade School as a 7th and 8th grade English teacher. In 1966, he went to Brookwood (Norwalk-Ontario) to teach English in the junior high. In 1969, he became principal of Brookwood Junior/Senior High School. Following his retirement, he enjoyed substitute teaching in several area schools. LeRoy and Donna owned Borgen's Cafe from 1973-2006. He enjoyed cooking, baking, and visiting with customers. LeRoy was an overly ambitious person who loved to do things for others. He took a sincere interest in his family, students and faculty. His philosophy was to share what you have and try to leave the world a better place in which to live. He dearly loved his family and tried to give them worthwhile experiences. He loved music and anything connected with it such as playing piano, dancing, singing, or musicals. His energy and spirit were untiring. He was especially proud of his daughters, who are all teachers. LeRoy was involved in many activities, including Syttende Mai, Westby Area Band Parents, 1976 Time Capsule, Advisory Board for Norseland Nursing Home, and past president of Western Wisconsin Teachers Association. He also planted sugar maple trees near Norseland Nursing Home in honor of past presidents and mayors of the City of Westby for Wisconsin's sesquicentennial. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna, three daughters, Cathy (Rich) Steidl of Eau Claire, Pam (Bob) Siewert of Arcadia, and Eileen (Luke) Howard of Eau Claire. He is further survived by eight grandchildren, Paul and Jonathan Steidl of Eau Claire, Faith, Hope, Charles and Jeremiah Siewert of Arcadia, and Isabelle and Eli Howard of Eau Claire; sisters, Mary Jane (Rueben) Prail of Janesville, MN and Linda (LaVerne) Berg of Winnebago,IL; brother, Elden (Marlene) Perkins of Sparta; and brothers-in-law, Herb Hoppe of Neenah, Allen Berger of Westby, David Amundson of Cashton; sisters-in-law, Jean Amundson of Sparta, and Karla Amundson of Rockland; special babysitter and friend, Doris Lium of Westby; and many nieces, nephews and friends. LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents Keith and Cleo, two sisters Rose Marie Hoppe and Judy Berger, father and mother-in-law Elmer and Alice Amundson, brother-in-law Roger Amundson, and a dear cousin Esther Mossholder. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Blessed be his memory. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at 11:00, in the Westby United Methodist Church. Pastor Jim Aniol will officiate. Burial will follow at the Immanuel (Moen) Lutheran Church Cemetery of rural Cashton. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday, November 14, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. Family and friends are also invited for visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bethel Butikk Food Pantry, Gundersen Lutheran Hospice, or to a charity of the donor's choice. The Vosseteig Funeral Home is assisting the family.