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After three terms as the City of Tomah’s 6th District alderman, Jerry Koeck decided not to seek a fourth term.

Koeck will finish out his term in April, and for many who sat on the council with him, his six years of service on the council will be only part of many years of service to the City of Tomah.

“He’s one heck of a guy,” alderman George Wright said of Koeck. “He just does so much. He has served the community well for a lot of years.”

Koeck, 82, retired in 1999 after spending over a decade greeting customers at Wal-Mart. Before that, he worked in retail for 45 years. In the mid-1990s he served two terms on the Tomah School Board, and has always enjoyed reading to children. On Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Koeck used to read Seuss stories to the children in Tomah’s elementary schools.

“Until last year I used to read for the youngsters and that was so enjoyable for me,” Koeck said.

Koeck has enjoyed his time on the council and says that the people he worked with made it even more enjoyable. He is also proud of several major projects that he was a part of during his time on the council.

When the signs at the City of Tomah limits which featured logos of the clubs and organizations of the city were taken down, Koeck worked hard with City Administrator John Rusch and the Lions Club to get the signs put back up at the north and south ends of the city.

“That was one of my main accomplishments,” Koeck said. “All cities had them and we didn’t, and I felt that was really important.”

Koeck also supported and pushed for the new hockey rink, swimming pool and new Police Building. He says that he heard plenty of opposition from some for his stance on the Police Building, but he is proud of the results and is looking forward to its completion.

“I caught a lot of flack, but the new Police Building will be just great,” Koeck said. “There are things you should stand up for, whether you get flack or not.”

Koeck says he learned a lot during his time on the council, and he believes he is leaving a council that is in good shape.

“I had a wonderful time on the council and I’m sure I will miss it, but we have some great people there,” Koeck said. “The same with our police department, fire department and ambulance service. We have great people to work with and I just wish everyone in our city could know how great they are.”

Koeck says that after six years on the council, it is good to get new faces and new ideas. He was also recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment. Other than treatment and recuperation, Koeck isn’t sure what he is going to do after he finishes out his term, but he does know that he will miss it.

“Honestly, I am going to miss it,” Koeck said. “Then I will be waiting to see what happens with the radiation. If everything is fine and shrunk down, maybe my wife (Wanda) and I will go on a trip somewhere.”