Emerson Gissel Wulling

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Wulling, Emerson Gissel Died May 29, 2006, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, at the age of 102. He was born July 26, 1903, to Lucille (Gissel) and Frederick J. Wulling in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota and received advanced degrees from Harvard University and the University of Minnesota. Emerson and Jean L. Crocker were married November 19, 1938, and then moved to La Crosse. In 1972 he retired from 40 years of teaching English, first at Syracuse University in New York and Hamline University in St. Paul, and since 1938 at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. From 1934 to 1938, he was assistant to the director of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Emerson had a lifelong avocational career with books and printing. His first printing press in 1915 evolved into the Sumac Press, a private press with which he produced many books, pamphlets, and ephemera, several for the Sherlockian "Norwegian Explorers" of Minneapolis and many for trade among a national circle of like-minded friends. A fine press book "Emerson G. Wulling, Printer for Pleasure" illustrated and printed by Gaylord Shanilec lists over 200 items Emerson printed. Emerson was an avid book collector, and his collecting often sought to encourage others' printing. His participation in The Ampersand Club of Minneapolis began in the 1930s. Emerson grew up in Minneapolis, helping in the printing shop of the First Universalist Church with Sunday bulletins. Later he was involved in the beginnings of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship in La Crosse. He was president of the former La Crosse Community Concert Association from 1957 to 1969, and was active in the State Association of University Faculties, of which he was president at one time. His wife Jean died April 9, 2006. He is survived by children, Lucinda (Robert) Clement of Beverly Hills, Michigan; Thomas (Marilyn Benson) of St. Paul; and Janet Wulling of La Crosse and Eugene, Oregon; grandson, Zachary Puent of Portland, Oregon; step-granddaughter, Maja Beckstron (Kermit Pattison); and step- great-grandchildren, Eli, Alistair, and Siri Pattison. He received excellent care in La Crosse at The Willows Assisted Living since 1999, and in recent months at Bethany Riverside Nursing Home. Memorials may be given in his name to the Murphy Library, c/o the UWL Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse, WI 54601. A memorial service for Emerson and Jean Wulling will be held at 3 pm, Saturday, June 17, at the First Congregational Church, 2503 Main St., La Crosse.

Published on June 4, 2006