As a perpetual gift to the community, this fund is the Thaler's way of expressing gratitude for their parents, the lasting friendships they've made in Chippewa Falls, and Chippewa Falls' small-town sense of community. 

Both Minneapolis and Chippewa Falls are home to Skip and Jill (Kroll) Thaler, but the latter is truly "home." Jill graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School; Skip graduated from McDonell Memorial High School.

The two started a brokerage business in Minneapolis and eventually opened a second, home office, in Chippewa Falls. They raised three children while growing the business and now have several grandchildren.