Ebben, Gerald

Other Events:

• 1930 Census: 1930, Vandenbroek, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• Military Service: Aft 1943; WWII, US Army
• Obituary: 7 Jan 2017; APC

Notes:

1930 Census:
Joseph Ebben31
Elizabeth Ebben33
Margaret Ebben6
Gerald Ebben5
Cornelius Ebben3 [3 3/12]
John Ebben0 [9/12]

Obituary:
After months of saying our good-byes to him, Gerald "Gerry" Ebben, age 91, of Greenville, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home with the Lord by his side after a long battle with Alzheimers disease on Thursday, January 5, 2017. Gerry was born on July 4, 1925 in Little Chute, son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Hietpas) Ebben. He attended St. John School in Little Chute through 8th grade and then left school to run the family farm. At the age of 19, he served in the Army as part of the Army Paratroops 674th Field Artillery. Gerry was sent to Japan at the end of WWII. Gerry worked at the Canning Factory when he returned from Japan and then at Thilmanys. On January 9, 1947 he met the love of his life and his wife of 67 years, Ethel Feldkamp at the Nightingale, where they loved to dance. They were married at St. Paul Catholic Church in Wrightstown on June 23, 1949. They lived in Wrightstown until they bought a farm and moved to Greenville in 1951, where they raised their 11 children. Gerry was a devout member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Greenville. He loved the Lord to the very end and prayed the rosary on a daily basis. Gerry loved farming and even after retirement helped his son-in-law in the fields any chance he could. However, he always honored the Lord's day and didn't work the fields on Sunday, and the Lord always provided for him and his family. Gerry was a member of the Greenville Civic Club, the Greenville Fire Department, the Knights of Columbus and also served on the Board of Directors for Greenville Co-op. In 2007, he was Greenville Citizen of the Year. He was a faithful blood donor for many years, until the age of 80. Dad (Gerry) could fix anything and was a whiz at math, especially when it came to counting points in Sheepshead. He loved to have a good time and was known for turning out the lights at the family weddings. Gerry loved a good card game, good music, dancing and gardening with his wife. His foot would be tapping to a good polka right to the end. He always loved babies and little children. Gerry and his wife loved to travel. They visited all 50 states, took several cruises and also took a trip to Europe and they enjoyed a hot air balloon ride.
Gerry is survived by his loving wife Ethel; eleven children, six daughters and five sons; Jean (Darrell) Deering, Richard (Jean) Ebben, Denis Ebben, Donna Ebben, Cathy (Steve) Jack, Jim (JoAnn) Ebben, Jan (Nelson) Sanders, Bob (Sally) Ebben, Ted Ebben, Barb (Tim) Hanson and Bonnie (Troy) Sommerfeld; 25 grandchildren, Chelsea Deering, Mike Ebben, Stephani Barnes, Amy Miller, Tony Ebben, Sister M. Vianney, Cassy Hicks, Tonya Schram, Travis, Tim and Spencer Jack, Carly Eaton, Luke Ebben, Hailey Wright, Lindsey, Michaela and Megan Sanders, Jacob and Josh Ebben, Jenny Green, Taylor and Trevor Ebben, Morgan and Hunter Hanson and Kaylee Sommerfeld and 17 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by brothers and sisters, John (Rose) Ebben, Mary Feldkamp, Irene Diedrich, George (Rosamond) Ebben; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Helen (Norb) Evers, Theresa (Jim) Ison, Joan (Russ) Aerts and Jim Bongers. Gerry is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Gerry was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Ebben; sister, Margaret; brother, Corneil; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Caroline Ebben, Jim Diedrich, Howard, Ralph, Ted (Jean) Feldkamp, Marie and Lee Bongers and Kate Bongers and father and mother-in-law, Catherine and Peter Feldkamp.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Greenville with Fr. Dane Radecki, O. Praem. and Fr. Justin Werner officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Full military rites will be held.
Dad loved his Lord, family and all of his many friends and neighbors. Through all the good times, life's ups and downs, Dad always said that he felt very blessed and even at the end he said "God has always been so good to us."
The family would like to thank his care givers, Kristin and Marianne, who took care of dad with such kindness and compassion. Dr. Joey Schumann, who went above and beyond in his care for Gerry. Also Affinity Hospice staff and all others who cared for Gerry.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9, 2017

Gerald married Feldkamp, Ethel (daughter of Feldkamp, Peter J. and Lamers, Catherine) [Group Sheet]