Official Obituary of
Walter John Garvue
August 6, 1921 ~ September 24, 2017 (age 96) 96 Years Old
Walter Garvue Obituary
Walter John Garvue, 96, of Hermantown, passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Edgewood Vista with his granddaughters by his side. He was born on August 6, 1921, in Dorchester, Wisconsin, to Ollie & Sylvia (Schafer) Garvue. Upon his mother's death at the very early age of 3, Walt lived with his maternal grandparents in Dorchester until 11. He then spent the rest of his teen years in Marshfield, living first with his father until his death, and then his Uncle Jack Garvue.
Walt received his high school education at Marshfield Senior High School, his bachelor's at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and his master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado. In 1942, he entered the military service in the artillery division before being selected to the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He gained many athletic honors and awards during high school and college, culminating with his induction into the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972. He played on both college basketball and football teams. On two conference championship football teams, he led the team in scoring and the conference in pass receiving and was unanimous selection for the All Conference Teams. In track, he ran on the State Champion 880 Relay Team.
His love for athletics didn't end with his active participation. After coaching for 9 years at Duluth Central High School, Mr. Garvue then spent the next 28 years as the school's Athletic Director, while teaching business during that entire time. He played golf until the age of 88 and went to the Center for Personal Fitness regularly into his 90s. He was also a proud Green Bay Packer backer who possessed an uncanny ability to remember names, plays, and records.
Walt Garvue contributed to his school district, his church, and his
community as he donated more than 25 years of service as a trustee and president of the Duluth Teacher's Retirement Fund and treasurer of the Duluth Federation of Teachers. He managed the district and regional basketball tournaments for years. He belonged to the Lester Park Methodist Church, Lake Superior Masonic Lodge, West Duluth American Legion, Lake Avenue Loafers, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Duluth Area Retired Educators Association as well as a member of Ridgeview Country Club where he was a manager of the Arrowhead Golf Tournament. He also played golf with the North Lakes Golf Association and the Enger Park Senior Men's League.
Walt took a very special interest in his great-grandchildren's activities and loved them dearly.
Walter married Mildred Johnson in 1947, who predeceased him in 2000. He was also preceded in death by his parents; beloved grandparents; and his only sibling, Maxine Schafer Hug.
Walter is loved and survived by his daughter, Karin (Paul) Mehling; granddaughters, Lisa (Paul) Mattson and Jodi (Dale) Gauthier; great-granddaughters, Kaila and Kati Gauthier; great-grandsons, Justin Middleton and Jesse Mattson; and step-great-grandchildren, Lyndsey Knops, JonPaul, and Joseph Mattson and their children.
The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Edgewood Vista and Dr. Luke Midlo & his team for their care of Walter, especially nurse Patti, for her devoted care over the years.
VISITATION: 1pm Monday, October 30th at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, with memorial service to follow at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Kids Closet of Duluth, 2431 W. 3rd St.
4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811
4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811
Walt received his high school education at Marshfield Senior High School, his bachelor's at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and his master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado. In 1942, he entered the military service in the artillery division before being selected to the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He gained many athletic honors and awards during high school and college, culminating with his induction into the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972. He played on both college basketball and football teams. On two conference championship football teams, he led the team in scoring and the conference in pass receiving and was unanimous selection for the All Conference Teams. In track, he ran on the State Champion 880 Relay Team.
His love for athletics didn't end with his active participation. After coaching for 9 years at Duluth Central High School, Mr. Garvue then spent the next 28 years as the school's Athletic Director, while teaching business during that entire time. He played golf until the age of 88 and went to the Center for Personal Fitness regularly into his 90s. He was also a proud Green Bay Packer backer who possessed an uncanny ability to remember names, plays, and records.
Walt Garvue contributed to his school district, his church, and his
community as he donated more than 25 years of service as a trustee and president of the Duluth Teacher's Retirement Fund and treasurer of the Duluth Federation of Teachers. He managed the district and regional basketball tournaments for years. He belonged to the Lester Park Methodist Church, Lake Superior Masonic Lodge, West Duluth American Legion, Lake Avenue Loafers, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Duluth Area Retired Educators Association as well as a member of Ridgeview Country Club where he was a manager of the Arrowhead Golf Tournament. He also played golf with the North Lakes Golf Association and the Enger Park Senior Men's League.
Walt took a very special interest in his great-grandchildren's activities and loved them dearly.
Walter married Mildred Johnson in 1947, who predeceased him in 2000. He was also preceded in death by his parents; beloved grandparents; and his only sibling, Maxine Schafer Hug.
Walter is loved and survived by his daughter, Karin (Paul) Mehling; granddaughters, Lisa (Paul) Mattson and Jodi (Dale) Gauthier; great-granddaughters, Kaila and Kati Gauthier; great-grandsons, Justin Middleton and Jesse Mattson; and step-great-grandchildren, Lyndsey Knops, JonPaul, and Joseph Mattson and their children.
The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Edgewood Vista and Dr. Luke Midlo & his team for their care of Walter, especially nurse Patti, for her devoted care over the years.
VISITATION: 1pm Monday, October 30th at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, with memorial service to follow at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Kids Closet of Duluth, 2431 W. 3rd St.
Visitation
OCT 30. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CDT)
Sunrise Funeral Home and Cremation Services & Cemetery4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811
Memorial Service
OCT 30. 2:00 PM (CDT)
Sunrise Funeral Home and Cremation Services & Cemetery4798 Miller Trunk Hwy
Hermantown, MN, 55811
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