Recalling the midnight birth of his first born, a childhood diagnosis, and a lifetime of “moments of awe”; Grouse Hollow Journal for August 17, 2026

by Greg Koelker

I remember going horseback riding with my pregnant wife one evening in mid August of 1979. I remember El was wearing a yellow sleeveless maternity top over jeans and western boots. She looked great in the saddle riding her beautiful palomino, Dan. We saw two dandy bucks in velvet. The horses were not impressed. Despite my reservations about it, she thought it was okay to canter a bit across the recently bailed hayfield. I would wonder later if she had been trying to send a message to her baby bump. 

I vaguely remember being startled awake around 2 AM the next morning on August 17. Ellen was standing by my side of the bed, smiling, “It’s time. Time to go.” Say what, huh? I managed to scramble out of bed; El handed me clothes. She was laughing as I floundered to find the correct jeans leg for the correct leg. She had already showered, and her go bag was waiting in the kitchen. I was still befuddled when I backed our Chevy Vega out of the garage. We raced over the bluff to Mohawk Valley and north. We held hands up Highway 35 to La Crosse and Gundersen Labor and Delivery. She appeared calm and in charge; I was not. El had called to let them know we were on our way. I remember approaching the railroad overhead when a red fox ran across the road. At the hospital, I just went where they pointed and did what I was told. We had been to Lamaze class so I vaguely recalled what to do. I recall the doc lifting up a tiny, angry little man who was emptying his bladder. It’s a boy! I said something lame like I don’t have to return the BB Gun, eliciting scowls evident above the circle of face masks and causing my exhausted girl to roll her eyes. Later Channel 8 News’ Mark Quade brought a camera to the hospital (I was the Noon News studio director at that time). We had some names in mind, but when the media showed up, we were under the gun. Benjamin Michael Koelker was presented to the world at Noon, Six, and Ten. And as they say, the rest is history. 

The curly mop top Bear, as I called Ben, had quite a few admirers. Grandparents, dozens of aunts and uncles, neighbors, and friends were excited to meet him. Soon enough, he would meet and charm some of Ellen’s co-workers at Gundersen.

Our 18-month old toddler had become constantly thirsty and constantly in need of a change. Ellen had her suspicions and brought home some test strips to check his urine. We saw pediatrician Dr. Tom Roberts and he confirmed that Ben had type 1 diabetes. I remember being shocked. How could this be happening to our beautiful little boy? (A little background here. Ellen’s maternal grandmother and my maternal grandmother had Type 1 diabetes, and four of ten El’s siblings had it.) 

Dr. Roberts said Ben would have to go into the hospital for about a week to get control of his blood sugar immediately. Dietitians Margi Ley and Marla Withey helped us with converting to a diabetic diet and lifestyle for a baby. Others in Diabetes Education, well, educated us. We had training in giving shots to oranges and to each other and checking blood sugars. So many people helped.

Things changed. We got our own parking space and coffee cups at the clinic or so it seemed. Our grocery list got a major edit – most likely for the better. We quit buying regular soda anymore; we bought more fruits and vegetables; candy was mostly out. (Ben still got to trick or treat, but El had the idea that I’d buy his stash for use during deer hunting.) El adapted to cooking low sugar stuff. We had to find new childcare because the current sitter said she wasn’t equipped to do Ben’s necessary blood testing and insulin shots; that proved to be a positive because we found Shirley Merfeld, who became like another grandmother to both of our boys. St. Pius elementary helped kindergartner Ben manage his school work and diabetes. 

Ellen was expecting when we learned the news about Ben. Dr. Roberts told us that the probability of this baby developing diabetes was not in our favor, so we decided not to have more children. (FYI our Mark, aka Mr Snickers and doughnuts, shocked us all years later when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 35!)  

Ben had a pretty regular childhood. Swimming lessons, little league, soccer, music lessons, show choir, trips to the Black Hills and Yellowstone, riding our horses, trips to Packers and Brewers games, playing with our dogs, squirrel and deer hunting, mountain bike races, sledding, skating, ski racing, and lots of family time. One impactful thing for Ben growing up was his time spent at Mount La Crosse -mostly encouraged by his mother. He became a good skier and was on the Central High School Ski team. Snow sports motivated him and Mark to move to the mountains of Colorado. Ben was on the ski patrol at Beaver Creek for a while. He has taken ski trips to Chile, Canada, Japan, Vermont, and all over the west. 

Another impact was his interest in playing the guitar at an early age. Maybe this one’s my fault as I played guitar. I taught him some things, but he eventually took lessons at Leithold’s from a rocker who played guitar with the Three Beers ‘til Dubuque band. Ben played lead guitar in a rock band in high school; he played with rock bands while at UWL; he even played lead guitar with my band a couple times. These days he performs solo acoustic, sometimes with a duet, and with rock and bluegrass bands across central Colorado. 

Ben got into photography during college. Out west, Ben has been shooting family portraits, skiing and snowboarding action, weddings and wildlife shots and fantastic mountain scenes for over 20 years. On his web page benkoelkerphoto.com, he wrote a short third person biography of the photographer:

 “Ben Koelker grew up outside of La Crosse, WI, in a valley of farmland below a ridge overlooking the Mississippi River. Natural scenic beauty is something that has always been a part of life, and his parents instilled in him and his brother Mark a respect for this and the hard work associated with living in an area of rugged wonder. Since moving to Colorado in the spring of 2004, Ben has devoted his life to searching out the far-away, awe inspiring places that abound in this state and elsewhere. The Photographer was also diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 18 months old, and pushing himself in the mountains while dealing with its ups and downs has given Ben’s photography a different perspective. This website is a showcase of the amazing people and things going on in the places he’s gone to in search of that next “moment of awe” which could come around each new corner.”

Ben has become an expert hiker and climbs fourteeners like we walk up our ridge. He and a friend once did three fourteeners in a single hike. 

In 2018, Ben popped the question to his best friend Christine Labadie. Later he and Chris asked us if they could have their wedding here at Grouse Hollow the next fall. We were thrilled, if a tad anxious. Over the next year, we, Chris’ parents, the sister squad, neighbors, and the kids helped put together the memorable event. Ellen had a huge garden full of giant sunflowers and veggies that summer. There was a large white tent filled with trestle tables and lit with chandeliers alongside our 1901-built tobacco shed. They had a beautiful wedding with the service officiated by their Colorado friend Danielle Monroe McNair under the ancient walnut tree behind the old shed surrounded by dozens of family and friends. Our friends Jordana and Wes Snyder took unforgettable wedding photos. We took group shots by our old hay barn up on our ridge. What a day! 

Today our Mountain kid Ben and Dr. Christine have a home in Gypsum, Colorado with mountains surrounding them. Their fur tribe of Scout and Moon Boots and several cats fill out the family. Besides the music and photography, Ben works for Bachelor Gulch Resort. The kids hike, camp, and mountain bike. Ben hunts for elk and deer and fishes for trout. He skis almost every day when there is snow. (Not so easy these days.) Ben and Mark are best friends and close by. Mark and Jen live near Edwards – a 20 minute drive away. They are a part of a great mountain community culture that celebrates holidays, birthdays, the mountains and the snow. 

Until next time, get out – happy birthday Ben. Keep on livin’ the dream. We love you all.

Pray for peace.

Greg Koelker

Greg Koelker is a lifelong resident of the Driftless region along the Mississippi River. He is the acclaimed author of the “Grouse Hollow Journal,” a column that celebrates rural life, nature, family heritage, and the traditions that bind communities together. While technically focused on the “outdoors,” his writing often explores broader themes of community values and education.