The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Gerhard Haukebo, died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, at his home.

He was born Sept. 1, 1928, in Underwood, and attended elementary school there and high school in Roseau, 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, Santa Barbara, Calif., 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. 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 his 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, N.M., 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; a sister, Clarice Falk, Roseau; brother, Noel (Jennifer) Haukebo, Bozeman, Mont., and sister, Lois (Wayne) Swenson, Bismarck, N.D.; a 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 and 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.

A service is planned at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Cormorant Lutheran Church, near Cormorant.

Visitation is scheduled Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead.

Condolences may be sent online at www.wrightfuneral.com.