Joel Karnick
Leta Jean Shepherd Gerber: age 96- Passed peacefully at home with her family surrounding her and loving her on October 27, 2024.
Born June 17, 1928 in Ladysmith Wisconsin to John Gates Shepherd DC and Lillien Steffeck Shepherd. The family moved to Park Falls when Leta was a small child.
She graduated from Park Falls High School in 1948. She attended Milwaukee Teachers College after High School. She then took a couple years off to raise her daughter after a brief marriage. She then returned to college at Medford Teachers college earning a teaching certificate and immediately returned to Park Falls to start her career at the Woodland Echo one room school house in Eisenstein near Park Falls. She taught all 8 grades for her first assignment joking that some of the kids were bigger than she was. School consolidation started the following year. She then taught for 2 years in Lymantown school teaching 3 grades. The In 1955 the new addition to the Washington school was completed and she then began her 2nd grade teaching career which spanned 4 decades including once again a move to a new Park Falls Elementary school. ( It appears she never graduated from 2nd grade however).
During her first years of teaching she continued to pursue her own education at UW Oshkosh during the summers to attain her Bachelor’s of education degree in 1960. This was a difficult task while working, raising a daughter, and traveling- no online courses then.
She was a single parent during the years when it was not popular or easy.
She was completely involved with her students and dedicated to each and every class. Many still remember her and she just loved having them come up and talk to her.
After retirement she volunteered at many organizations and causes in our community. She loved bowling, yoga, swimming, and being with people.
She loved watching the Brewers, but most of all loved spending time with her grandsons and later great grandkids helping raise them, teaching them to swim and imparting much wisdom.
She is survived by her Daughter Elyn Gerber Schloer, Park Falls, “Her brother John James Shepherd, Park Falls, Three Grandsons, Mark ( Steph) Schloer, Park Falls, Brian( Jodi) Schloer, Glidden, Craig Schloer ( JoAnna) Park Falls. She is further survived by 9 Great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren, and one niece, Ann (Dan) Marin of Tucson AZ.
She was predeceased by her Parents, one Brother, William D Shepherd DC, and his wife Janet Shepherd, son in law John Schloer, and one granddaughter Jeanie Marie Schloer and her very best friend Adelyn Kaley Erickson.
A Celebration of Life, Love and her dedication to service will be held at 1:00pm on Monday November 11, 2024 at Birch Street Funeral Service Chapel in Park Falls. Rev. Stephen Kjetland will officiate.
Interment will follow at Nola Cemetery in Park Falls.
A visitation will be held from 12:00pm until the hour of the service.
Birch Street Funeral Service is assisting the family.
