Gerhard “Gerry” Haukebo

Husband of one, father of four, grandfather to eight, Gerhard Gerry Haukebo died on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at home. Born in Underwood, MN, September 1, 1928, he attended elementary school there and high school in Roseau, MN, living with his sister and husband Clarice and Charles Christianson. He enlisted in the Marine Corps spending one year with occupational forces in Japan and returned to enter Concordia College. On July 15, 1950, he married Doris Mae Alley of Roseau. They set up household in Minneapolis where he finished school at the University of Minnesota and Doris attended nursing school. Upon graduation, Gerry taught in Little Falls, MN, Santa Barbara, CA and then joined the Army Dependent Schools in Germany for four years as teacher and principal. Upon his return to the U.S. in 1959 he joined the faculty at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. His international experiences led him to create the Concordia Language Villages in 1961 which now offers 15 languages each year. In 1967 he was hired by Moorhead State University now MSUM as Director of Student Teaching, six months later as Chairman of the Education Department and subsequently promoted to MSUM's Vice President for Public Affairs. He is credited with coordinating the acquisition of Ponderosa Golf Course, of the creation of the Regional Science Center, of initiating and directing the Student Teacher Abroad program, which led to students training in international schools on six continents and in developing MSUM's annual Family History Workshop. After retirement, in 1997, he started the Global Languages which expanded to 10 locations throughout China. He continued to be actively involved in his community the rest of his life. His community service included serving on the Council of Trinity Lutheran Church, as President of Moorhead Rotary then Rotary District Governor, serving three states and Ontario. Gerry was a two-term member of the Moorhead School Board, served on the St. Ansgar Hospital Board and chaired the Cass-Clay United Way Annual Campaign. He served on numerous Chamber of Commerce and community committees, boards and task forces. Gerry's studies led to Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Minnesota. He was also presented an Honorary Doctorate by Concordia College. Survivors include wife, Doris, two daughters and two sons, Beth Dan Miller in Minneapolis, Joseph, Angel Fire, NM, Heidi Edward Winter, St. Louis/Denver, John Carol, Detroit Lakes; seven grandchildren – Davin and Gerhard Haukebo-Bol, Sepp Katie, Niko and Gentry Haukebo, Ciara Winter and Justine Haukebo; sister Clarice Falk, Roseau, MN, brother Noel Jennifer Haukebo, Bozeman, MT, and sister Lois Wayne Swenson, Bismarck, ND; brother-in-law James Marjorie Alley, Denver and several nieces and nephews. Gerry was preceded in death by his parents Gerhard Knute and Cora Haukebo, his sisters Catherine Haukebo, Francis Ann Bergquist, Norma Rubink, Marion Powers, Grace Landin, and a granddaughter Greta Mae Haukebo-Bol. Memorials may be sent to Gerry Haukebo Scholarship at Concordia Language Villages, Gerry Haukebo Scholarship at MSUM or Cormorant Lutheran Church.