Dad

gjersy · April 09, 2013, 04:24:36 AM

My Dad Kenneth Gjerseth got killed in the woods, he was 69. Mom called at 7:30pm, last night, hysterically crying for me to come to the woods, I cut the tree off him but he was already dead. He was a pro logger all his life, he just had a hip replacement in Feb. He needed 3 cord to finish a pulp load off, I told him to get it off my job this week. He's a stubborn fella, I didn't know he was cutting it. He was limited because of the hip and he needed a knee replacement also, this slowed him down, but he still worked hard everyday. He sold his tree processor 2years ago and continued to truck and skid. He said he'd work till he died, some guys like fishing for retirement, but he liked logging lol. He was going to train my 13yr old boy Ricky on the forwarder this summer, just like he taught me. He'll be missed could use a few prayers, thanks. Mark.

CTL logger · April 09, 2013, 04:48:24 AM

Sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

beenthere · April 09, 2013, 06:04:44 AM

gjersey
Very sorry to hear this, and with our prayers for you and family, may he rest in piece. Sounds like he died doing what he said he wanted to be doing when he died. Tragic just the same.

wwsjr · April 09, 2013, 06:15:43 AM

Sorry for you loss, prayers for you and your family.

Woodhauler · April 09, 2013, 06:18:46 AM

VERY SORRY !! He died doing what he LOVED TO DO! I am sure you will still teach your son all the things your dad taught you!

David-L · April 09, 2013, 06:26:46 AM

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like your dad was a true woodsman, right till the end. Prayers.

David L

Gasawyer · April 09, 2013, 06:45:00 AM

Sorry for your loss.

Bibbyman · April 09, 2013, 06:47:08 AM

You have my condolences. I lost my Dad a few months back. But he went quietly at almost 95. But he logged most of his life and much of it alone. He still cut firewood up in his early 80s. We worried a lot.

I'll be 63 here in a few months Mary and I are cutting a few otherwise worthless trees around the field edged to make blocking. Logging is not a job for an old man!

gjersy · April 09, 2013, 06:59:36 AM

Thanks for the prayers and thoughts guys, i'm not getting a wink of sleep all night i keep playing that horrible scene in my head of Dad under that tree. Yes he did love his job, thanks again.

Stephen Alford · April 09, 2013, 07:05:29 AM

Condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your family.

Jim_Rogers · April 09, 2013, 07:18:46 AM

Quote from: gjersy on April 09, 2013, 06:59:36 AM
Thanks for the prayers and thoughts guys, i'm not getting a wink of sleep all night i keep playing that horrible scene in my head of Dad under that tree. Yes he did love his job, thanks again.

Find a picture of him smiling and remember him that way.......

Sorry for your loss.

Jim Rogers

MEloggah · April 09, 2013, 07:19:14 AM

that's a shame. never like hearing stories like this.

WH_Conley · April 09, 2013, 07:28:45 AM

Sorry for your loss.

ND rancher · April 09, 2013, 07:49:44 AM

Mark, so sorry to read of your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.Remember the good times you had together! Keith

Corley5 · April 09, 2013, 07:51:51 AM

Sorry for loss :( :( :( He died with his boots on.

54Dutchman · April 09, 2013, 07:53:06 AM

Sorry to hear of your loss; I really do not know what to say.

deastman · April 09, 2013, 08:03:44 AM

So sorry, our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

barbender · April 09, 2013, 08:07:42 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss, I don't know what else to say :(

Woodboogah · April 09, 2013, 08:27:06 AM

So sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers with your family.

DigDug · April 09, 2013, 08:34:00 AM

So sorry for your loss, I cannot even imagine it. He was a worker and enjoyed logging good for him.

WmFritz · April 09, 2013, 08:36:02 AM

Tragic... Sorry for your loss.

Bill

Tim Lea · April 09, 2013, 08:39:28 AM

sorry to hear this praying for u and ur family..

thecfarm · April 09, 2013, 08:41:16 AM

That is just awful to hear. The memory of you finding him like that would bother any one. It's too bad that he won't be able to train your 13 year old son on the forwarder. I cut firewood with my Father my whole life. He wanted to get into logging at age 70. He use to log many years ago,on a small scale,but knew what he was doing. We brought a tractor and a 3 pt hitch winch and started cutting white pine on this land. I must say that really was a fun 3-4 years. He died of cancer long before it was all cut. I do wished he would of started sooner. He did have a good time doing it and I use to ride the fender of the tractor and listen to stories about The Farm. Memories is all we have of the ones that are gone. Good luck to you and your family and a special prayer for your Mother.

ABTS · April 09, 2013, 08:44:47 AM

Sorry to hear about your loss . My thoughts are with you .

HiTech · April 09, 2013, 08:46:50 AM

So sad, my prayers and thoughts for you and your family. May he rest in piece.

justallan1 · April 09, 2013, 08:56:37 AM

Very sorry for you and your families loss, Mark.
Sounds like he enjoyed life to the end.
Allan

Red Clay Hound · April 09, 2013, 08:58:23 AM

Sorry for your loss Mark. As the others have said, at least he died doing what he loved. You and your Mom are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sprucegum · April 09, 2013, 09:36:15 AM

It was a horrible scene from your point of view but from his point of view it was where he wanted to be. Try to think of it that way.

Jay C. White Cloud · April 09, 2013, 09:50:05 AM

:(
You will hold my deepest prayers this day...seek peace that he lives on in all of you.

rooster 58 · April 09, 2013, 10:11:33 AM

Very sorry to hear of your tragic loss. Prayers to you and your family

clww · April 09, 2013, 10:32:03 AM

I am distraught to hear about your Dad's passing and your family's loss. You created a great picture of him in your post, and he apparently passed "living life" to the utmost. My prayers go out to you, your family, and his friends today. We will all meet again very, very soon.
If I can help in any way, send me a PM.

trapper · April 09, 2013, 11:01:30 AM

Sorry for your loss.

Dom · April 09, 2013, 12:09:07 PM

So sorry to hear of your family's loss. I wish you and your family the best upon this sad news.

LTmarine64 · April 09, 2013, 12:22:09 PM

Mark,

I'm sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Kevin

Riggs · April 09, 2013, 01:08:48 PM

My thoughts and prayers for you and your family. He was obviously loved by his family and went out doing what he loved. That's all a man can ask for.
Again, sorry for your loss.

Vance in AK · April 09, 2013, 02:25:05 PM

So sorry for your loss. Praying for you, your mom, & your family.

Shotgun · April 09, 2013, 02:46:47 PM

Mark & Family,

Sorry to learn of your Dad's accident and his passing. He must have been a real trooper. It's really hard, as we age, to give up things you really enjoy doing, and things that we've done all our life. I feel for you and your Mom, having to go through that in the woods. That really makes a difficult thing much more difficult. Our prayers go out for all dealing with this situation.

Blessings,

Norm

ely · April 09, 2013, 02:56:10 PM

prayers for your family sent, thats a tough row.

reride82 · April 09, 2013, 03:11:51 PM

Mark,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Its hard for anybody to see someone they love in that situation, stay strong and remember him the way he'd want you to remember him, with a saw in his hand and a smile on his face.

Levi

rhino135 · April 09, 2013, 03:17:58 PM

Sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers!!!!!!

CCC4 · April 09, 2013, 04:05:47 PM

Oh man, my eyes have literally welled up. I feel so bad for you and your family. I just got in from falling in high winds...to read this has just set something loose in me. I had so many close calls today...several times thinking what in the heck am I doing out here in this wind...all I could think about was production...now all I am thinking about is how my 10 yr old would take it if I didn't make it home...

I know no prayers...this is probably the first time in my life when I wished I knew something to say...I'm so sorry

Clint

petefrom bearswamp · April 09, 2013, 04:09:39 PM

So sorry for your loss

Autocar · April 09, 2013, 04:50:16 PM

So sorry to hear this about your dad, Like most loggers we love every day in the woods and we can't ask for much else.

Ken · April 09, 2013, 05:10:05 PM

So sorry for your loss. I work with my dad every day and can not comprehend the grief you must be feeling.

John_Haylow · April 09, 2013, 05:22:56 PM

Sorry for your loss Mark. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
John

loggah · April 09, 2013, 05:57:45 PM

Sorry for you loss!! Hopefully hes cutting limbless veneer in the perfect forests of the here after !Don

JDeere · April 09, 2013, 06:51:35 PM

Mark, So sorry to hear about your Dad. Wisconsin has some of the best loggers in the world and I am sure your Dad was one of them. Hopefully, you, your Mom and family will find some comfort in knowing that you all are in the thoughts and prayers of so many good people on this forum. Take Care.

cutter88 · April 09, 2013, 07:14:40 PM

sorry for your loss our prayers to you and ur family.

Ron Scott · April 09, 2013, 07:46:44 PM

Very sad. Something no one wants to experience.

Andy White · April 09, 2013, 07:49:52 PM

Sorry for your loss! I was with my Dad when he passed.I worked on him 45 minutes before EMT s arrived. He was doing the thing he loved the most, and was not alone. Best wishes for your family, and keep the faith that he enjoyed life to the very end. Andy

mad murdock · April 09, 2013, 08:05:23 PM

Sorry for your and your family's loss, that is a tough one! Prayers for you and your family. Your dad is having a family reunion on the other side, with loved ones he has missed for a long time, and he will be there waiting for you guys when the time comes.

John Vander · April 09, 2013, 08:16:08 PM

Friend, keep your dad's saws running and in good shape...he'd want it that way I'm sure. A running saw means the legacy lives on.
John

Peter Drouin · April 09, 2013, 08:38:04 PM

Sorry about your loss, some day you will see him again

mikeb1079 · April 09, 2013, 09:09:39 PM

deepest condolences to a fellow countryman.

SAnVA · April 09, 2013, 09:20:07 PM

So sorry for you & your family's loss, hope you can find peace knowing that he left this life doing what he loved to do. Best of luck to you and your family in this very difficult time!

newstick · April 09, 2013, 09:50:45 PM

Very sorry! thoughts and prayers with you and your family.

sumday · April 09, 2013, 10:26:59 PM

Very sorry to hear this. I'll be praying for you and your family.

kiko · April 09, 2013, 10:35:10 PM

My family will be praying for you and your family as well.

sawman · April 09, 2013, 11:12:24 PM

Thoughts and prayers from SE MO, sorry for your loss.

colincb183 · April 10, 2013, 12:05:37 AM

So sorry to hear about this. I'll be praying for you and your family.

Tom the Sawyer · April 10, 2013, 01:00:09 AM

Mark,

My deepest condolences to you and your family. I lost my dad 14 years ago. I no longer think about his passing, but often remember the things he taught me and the way he lived his life. Keep those good memories at hand and pass them down to your kids.

ayerwood · April 10, 2013, 01:19:52 AM

Mark,

I am so sorry to hear about your father and the accident you and your mother had witnessed. Be strong and keep your head up. I am sure you are as proud to have had him as your father as he is proud of you. Remember all the good times and know he is "up there" smiling down on your family and dropping some big ole trees. My prayers are with you and your family.

Meadows Miller · April 10, 2013, 02:32:00 AM

Sorry to hear of you and your familys loss you are all in my thoughts and prayers

Jim mentioned a good idea to get a pic of him smiling or doing what he loved to do put it on your bedside table it may help with the sleep Mate

Regards Chris

timberlinetree · April 10, 2013, 04:58:00 AM

Our condolences to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Try to think about the good times. I lost my brother tragically and the scene kept playing through my head. Pictures do help... and try to keep your mind off the bad by occupying your time with friends and family and doing what you like to do. May he rest in peace and peace be brought to your and your family.

MJD · April 10, 2013, 06:39:39 AM

Sorry for your loss Mark, its not easy when you loose your Dad. Hang in there.

log cutter · April 10, 2013, 11:29:25 AM

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. You and your family are in my prayers.

GATreeGrower · April 10, 2013, 11:43:58 AM

Im so sorry to hear this and will keep you and your family in my prayers. Sounds like your dad was an awesome guy who loved his job.

gjersy · April 11, 2013, 12:26:39 AM

Thank you so much guys for the thoughts,prayers,sympathy,stories and advice. I read your posts many times and they help. We're getting lots of support from neighbors and friends, anyways thanks again.

Bill Gaiche · April 11, 2013, 08:48:06 AM

Sorry for your loss. Ole men do what they must it seems to satisfy themselves and others. This is a good thing I believe. Your dad is always special and rightfully so. Hope your nights get better. Try filling them with good memories. bg

thecfarm · April 11, 2013, 08:53:01 AM

Give your Mom a hug for me. How is she doing through all of this? I know there is alot going on and a constance reminder of him. Probably she is waiting for him to walk through that door after a day of cutting wood.

keen · April 11, 2013, 03:28:54 PM

Sorry for your loss, sending prayers your way.

mills · April 11, 2013, 05:58:52 PM

You and your family have my sincerest condolences. My Dad is 78, but gets around like he's 38. Just like your dad was doing, he's enjoying his life the only way he knows how. Mom, my brothers, sisters, and I have all worried about him working out on the farm by himself, but what do you do. Your never going to catch him on a golf course, or playing cards with a bunch of old fogies. He's going to be dropping trees, running his dozer, bush hogging, or hauling a load of logs just to shoot the bull with the girls at the scale house. I pray that nothing ever happens, but if it does, I hope I have the courage to react as well as you did. May the Good Lord bless you and your family in your time of sorrow.