Richard G. Ekern

Richard G. Ekern, age 75 of Westby, died January 31, 2008. Richard Glen Ekern, age 75 of Westby passed away at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse on January 31, 2008. He was born on April 26, 1932 to Lawrence and Martha Ekern of rural Chaseburg in Vernon County. He attended Linrud grade school and graduated from Westby High School. He Married Ilene Egstad on February 23, 1952 and she died on August 29, 2007. They lived most of their married life farming in Vernon County on the Egstad Homestead. They moved to Westby twenty one years ago.He is survived by four children: Reid (Nancy) of Viroqua; Renee Joseph (Tom) of La Crosse; Randy (Marna) of St. Louis, MO; Todd (Vicki) of Rockford, Il; six grandchildren: Rebecca (Nick) Keaty, Greta (Nate) Hanson, Luke (Tricia) Schulz, Paul Schulz, Meghan Ekern and Emily Ekern; one great-grandchild, Finnegan Keaty; one brother, Burton Ekern, Chaseburg; two sisters, Eunice Goettel of Sheboygan, Joan (LeRoy) Anderson of Westby.Richard was an active member of Westby Coon Prairie Church serving on the property committee. He drove bus for the Westby School District for 53 years and was instrumental in the formation of the Westby First Responders. He also served on the planning commission for the city of Westby.He enjoyed morning coffee with his "buddies at the Express", fishing and golfing. He was an excellent woodcraftsman, creating furniture, round top trunks for rosemaling and "chip carving" specialty items. Most of all, he was proud of his kids, his grandchildren, great grandchild, and the children of bus #7. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 4, 2008 at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Dennis Hallemeier will officiate with burial in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 3, 2008 from 1-3 at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main Street (Hwy. 14 South) in Westby. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church.In Lieu of flowers the family requests monetary donations to Westby Coon Prairie Steeple Fund, Westby Fine Arts Building Fund, or First Responders. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.