This Fund supports scholarships for Gilman High School graduates planning to pursue higher education. Its purpose is to encourage students to become more engaged in their community and school, as well as support their continuing educations, with the hope that scholarship recipients will extend similar generosity to students in future generations.

Stanley Lato was born and raised in Thorp, Wisconsin. After serving in the Navy, he returned home and began farming alongside his father. Eventually, Stanley established his own farm in Gilman, where he and his wife Elaine raised their family.

Elaine, originally from Rice Lake, Wisconsin, worked in the Twin Cities. The couple met while Stanley was visiting family, and they later married. Together, they had six children-five daughters and one son. Their only son eventually took over the family dairy farm.

Stanley's parents, Felix and Josephine Lato, immigrated from Poland and laid the foundation for the family's farming legacy. Stanley's mother was especially supportive, helping Elaine adapt to the farming lifestyle and becoming an integral part of their agricultural life.

Both Stanley and Elaine also pursued college degrees later in life-in their late 40s or early 50s-further reflecting their deep belief in the value of education. This commitment to lifelong learning became a core part of their family values and an inspiration for the scholarship fund they created.

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Checks can be mailed to:

ECCF/Lato Scholarship Fund
306 S. Barstow St., Suite 104
Eau Claire, WI 54701