Josef H. Gapko, 22, of Eau Claire died on Monday, July 10, 2006, at Luther Hospital. He was born in Eau Claire on September 27, 1983, the son of Laurie and Andrea (Nielsen) Gapko. \r\nHe graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School with the class of 2002 and actively participated in music, including the Memorial Madrigals and Concert Choir. He was currently a senior at UW-Eau Claire majoring in economics and music-vocal performance. Josef was an outstanding senior in economics and member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon economics honor society. He participated in the Honors Program and earned academic distinction every semester.\r\nHe was president of the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the University Chess Club, and the Student chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singers. He was an active singer in the Singing Statesmen, the Concert Choir, and the Symphonic Choir at UW-Eau Claire. He was also a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, Mortar Board, the Student Economics Association, and the Lutheran Student Association.\r\nJosef is survived by his parents; a brother, Jacob of Eau Claire; 2 uncles, Peter (Karen) Nielsen of San Rafael, CA, and Arvid (Anne Hokenstad) Nielsen of Cottage Grove, MN; his aunts, Janet Nielsen of Minnetonka, MN, Diane Gapko of Milwaukee, and Mari Pinzl of Oak Creek; and five first cousins, Lisa Nielsen, Katie Nielsen, Karen Carusone, Christine Aguilera, and Greg (Dawn) Gapko.\r\nHe was preceded in death by three uncles, Jim Gapko, Fred Gapko, and Howard Nielsen; two cousins, Anthony and Jeffrey Nielsen; and his grandparents, Ardyce and Gordon Nielsen and Signe and Louis Gapko.\r\nFuneral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2006, at University Lutheran Church at the Ecumenical Religious Center at UW-Eau Claire with Rev. Donald Wisner officiating. Burial will be in Stanfold Lutheran Church Cemetery in Stanfold Township near Rice Lake. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at University Lutheran Church, 110 Garfield Ave., Eau Claire and one hour prior to services on Thursday. A time of prayer and remembrance will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church.\r\nLenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral&Cremation Services is serving his family.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Development Office, 158 Linwood Plaza, Suite 220, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 or the Friends of Music at UW-Eau Claire Foundation, P.O. Box 4004, Eau Claire, WI, 54702.\r\n

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