Jeris Waldvogel Memorial Music Scholarship

Hi everyone. I am Amy Puls, daughter of Jeris Waldvogel. I am raising funds to support a music scholarship scheduled to be awarded this spring to a graduating high school student from Calumet County here in Wisconsin. This scholarship was started in memory of my mother, Jeris after she passed away in 2003.

First, a little about my Mom. Mom was a very talented musician. She was a teacher of many things, first as a K through 12 music teacher and then as a real-estate instructor through the Wisconsin Realtors Association. She served as director of the music department for several churches. For the 15 years before her death, she served as music director for Ebenezer UCC in Chilton, WI, where she was instrumental in forming the Ebenezer Brass Handbell choir in 1991. She was also an active, long-time member of the Fox Valley Handbell Association. Though she loved handbells, her instrument of choice was the Pipe Organ. She enjoyed playing as many different pipe organs as she could during her travels worldwide. During her time with Ebenezer Brass, she organized three European and one Canadian handbell concert tours where the group shared their talents and love of music worldwide. She never stopped "teaching" the love of music, travel, and life, even while fighting Breast Cancer. Mom fought Breast Cancer on and off for eight years. She lost her battle on October 5, 2003, shy of her 61st birthday (October 30, 1942) and only a few months after returning from her last European tour. Ironically, she was born and died during Breast Cancer Awareness month from Breast Cancer.

Now a little about this scholarship. Shortly after Mom passed away, her husband (my stepdad, Don Waldvogel) started a scholarship in her name. This scholarship was to be distributed through Ebenezer Brass Handbell Choir. It would go to a graduating high school senior in Calumet County, which is the county where Ebenezer is located. Eligible seniors must be enrolled in a degree program pursuing any field of study at any accredited trade school, technical school, college, or university. They must participate in a community, church, or school musical program, including musicals, chorus, band, hand bells, etc.

Since Don's passing, I have decided to take over the scholarship to pay tribute to my Mom's love for music and life. I soon discovered that the scholarship money was nowhere to be found as there was no clearly defined/labeled account in which Mom's scholarship funds were kept. Therefore, I am hosting this fundraiser during Breast Cancer Awareness month to "start over" and replenish a small portion of the funds to give as this year's award. Further funds will be replenished throughout subsequent years through various other fundraisers.

Some of my goals are:

Jeris (Mom) touched so many people's lives through her love for music. She was a kind, generous, loyal woman who would always put others before herself. I would appreciate any amount of donation to help keep her spirit alive by helping students achieve a higher level of education.

With love and honor,

Amy