Re: Prayers
[Re: Skunk Bunk]
#8265644
11/19/24 10:59 AM
11/19/24 10:59 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,386 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,386
Wisconsin
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I remember selling fur to Cambridge Hide and fur. And Greg was working there, and I don't think he was old enough to drive. I worked hand and hand with Greg for many years when he was at NAFA . He will be missed.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Prayers
[Re: Skunk Bunk]
#8265762
11/19/24 02:56 PM
11/19/24 02:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 202 NE
harryleggs
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 202
NE
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Thanks for teaching everybody how to put up fur. RIP Amigo!
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Re: Prayers
[Re: Skunk Bunk]
#8265767
11/19/24 03:07 PM
11/19/24 03:07 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,251 MN
Steven 49er
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,251
MN
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He wasn’t born in the woods, but he got there as fast as he could
Greg had a Full Life filled with several types of Loves. His main purpose and Love in Life was his Family. In 1979 Greg saw a beautiful blond lady and fell instantly in love. Brenda returned in kind and they shared 45 years together (married for 43). Brenda vowed to love him every day, even during hunting season. She did just that until he took his final breath. Greg and Brenda were more than Partners and Loves, they were Best Friends.
Greg’s favorite hunting buddies called him Dad and Papa. Greg loved his Family and was most proud of Daughter Michelle and Son Eric. When asked about his children he would give a little smirk, and he would talk-the-talk of Love. That included his Son-In-Law Ryan and bonus Granddaughter Chloe. When his two granddaughters Isabelle and Maya came along, they put a smile on Greg’s face wider than the Grand Canyon and put Love in his Heart. They will miss exploring with Papa and their journeys together. Greg didn’t Love his Family now and then, he Loved them always and without end.
His Love for hunting and trapping came as a necessity to feed the large family he was born into. He set traps before stepping a foot on a school ground and on school days woke up before sunrise to check and set his traps with little Brother Jamie in tow. He passed the tradition to his children Eric and Michelle. After school he worked on his Grandparent’s farm. This work ethic was part of his DNA.
It is said if you love what you do you never work a day in your life. He Loved his career in the fur industry where he became a leading expert. He forgot more than most know about trapping and fur. He was generous with his time and knowledge with others hoping they would embrace the love of Mother Nature and all she has to offer; especially when it comes to trapping and hunting. The friends he accumulated along the way became an important part of his life.
The family cabin was his final Love and Happy Place. Being there is like getting a hug from Mother Nature. It was where the entire family gathered to play. The family was blended by choice and woven in Love. Here he found solitude when his Illness was taking this beautiful life away. It was a time when he was strong for those he loved, after all, he weathered too many storms to be bothered by raindrops. Because he was Loved; no illness can take that away. And when his lungs were empty of air, his heart was still full with Love.
He would give a wave, a nod and smile to Leila (Tom), Jim (Kris) and Jeff (Michelle), the Eikland family that embraced him as a member of the family; who had him believing his last name should be Eikland. He would thank them for their love and support that never wavered. Greg will miss talking to his brothers Gary and Virgil; Greg is probably still laughing at the last story his brother Dennis told him as they both inherited a sense of humor worthy of a patent; he would tell his Sister Marie who was his childhood buddy to remember the good times and smile. Greg’s large family included Linda, Nancee, Duane, Jeff; sister-in-law Joan and brothers-in-law Gary and Jerry. Jamie was Greg’s sidekick and his loss created a hole in Greg’s heart that will be mended as they are now together. The nieces and nephews that will miss Greg are so many that they won’t be named but represent Greg’s extended Love of family.
He is preceded in death by many loved ones, including his parents Delbert and Agnes and his in-laws Harold and Harriet Eikland.
Those who loved Greg will gather to remember him, NOT on the first day of deer hunting season as that would be downright sacrilegious. We will gather on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 for a memorial service at 454 E. Church Road, Cambridge. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00am with a service to follow at 11:00 with Rev. Eric Hanson officiating. Burial will be in the East Koshkonong Cemetery.
"Gold is money, everything else is just credit" JP Morgan
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Re: Prayers
[Re: Skunk Bunk]
#8265798
11/19/24 04:15 PM
11/19/24 04:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,762 Oregon
beaverpeeler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,762
Oregon
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That is a very heartfelt tribute. Don't know who wrote it .....but WOW!
My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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Re: Prayers
[Re: Shakeyjake]
#8269220
11/23/24 10:53 AM
11/23/24 10:53 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,041 Sauk County, WI
Patrice
"TMan Feed Gestapo "
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"TMan Feed Gestapo "
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,041
Sauk County, WI
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Back to the top for Greg.
I am personally thankful for his contributions to trappers and fur handling, for supporting Trapperman and our Discretionary Fund, for sharing his time and knowledge at my rendezvous, and for sharing with me his experience and encouragement in some huge challenges in life.
Soft-spoken and strong, Kind and positive.
Thank you, Greg.
WTA District 9 Director ... Go D9! Member: WTA, Intertel, Mensa (Trappers ain't stupid.) Life Member: NRA
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Re: Prayers
[Re: Skunk Bunk]
#8269590
11/23/24 08:34 PM
11/23/24 08:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,609 Co.-Wy. part time AK.
wy.wolfer
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,609
Co.-Wy. part time AK.
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All of the heartfelt posts on here are a wonderful testimonial to Greg's character and integrity. RIP to a guy that so many of us on here have such great respect for. I met Greg in the 80's when working at HBC when we were still in Montreal, right before the move to Toronto. He impressed me as an honest knowledgeable guy back then, and taught me as the FNG there, a few things about country buying, and handling fur.
Last edited by wy.wolfer; 11/23/24 09:33 PM.
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