S. Christopher Garthe Jr.
Died September 28, 2018
NORTHPORT – Steiner Christopher
Garthe Jr., “Chris”, 69, of Northport, passed away Friday, September 28, 2018,
at Munson Medical Center.
Chris was born September 16, 1949
in Traverse City, the son of Steiner Sr. and Sigwalda (Nelson) Garthe.
Chris was raised on his family
farm in Northport. He always had a love
of the natural world and was the last of the “Norwegian Bachelor Farmers”.
A natural teacher, Chris shared
the knowledge he acquired from CMU, farming, reading and life, making anyone
his student after talking with him. He
loved to teach people about nature and its importance in our lives. He worked with many people in the county over
the years, but most recently at the Leelanau Soil Conservation District, where
he was a resource for many folks.
His vast wealth of knowledge
extended beyond plants and trees; a very skilled fly fisherman, Chris created
his own flies. On his walks he
continuously sought out feathers and furs that he could use to create the
delicate works of art.
Chris was just plain fun to talk
with. With almost any topic, he would
have something clever, witty or just a fun story that on...and on...and
on... He brought joy to many people, and
always had a kind word to say.
Chris is survived by his
siblings, Gene (Kathrine) Garthe, Gertrude “Trudy” Garthe, Carol Berendsohn,
Bonnie (Keith) Shiner, and Sally Garthe; many loving nieces and nephews, as
well as many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his
parents.
Visitation will be held from 5 to
8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4 with Sharing of Memories at 7 p.m. at the Martinson
Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. The funeral
service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Bethany Lutheran
Church of Northport. Burial will follow
in Leelanau Township Cemetery. Pastor
Ruth Overdier will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
donations may be directed to the Brook Trout Coalition, PO Box 172, Mayfield, MI
49666.
Condolences may be shared with
Chris’s family below or at our funeral home Facebook page:
I will always remember 'Garth' fondly. Coming into the HH with a fistful of feathers and talking flies, and Harrison. The first thin stalks of asparagus to taste, that were SO much better than the later, thicker stalks. Books spanning dozens of categories to show us. He loved to share what he knew, and I loved to learn from him.
ReplyDeleteI worked as a Master Gardener volunteer with Leelanau Soil District’s Plant Sales for a few years. Chris showed me the ropes while injecting some cleverly funny remarks. He made the work fun and very patiently taught me a thing or two. I count myself lucky to have known him. My condolences in your loss of Chris.
ReplyDelete- Ellen Golec
Perhaps the nicest, warmest guy I have ever known, we worked together at North Country Gardens in the early 90's and became fast friends. Filled with an astounding myriad of interests, I never found a topic of conversation Chris didn't already know something about and could discuss with intelligence, humor, and usually some level of passion. Just a whiz when it came to plant knowledge, with the teacher in him always excited to communicate anything that would be helpfully informational. A man of great humanity, goodness was his creed and imparting kindness was his daily mission.
ReplyDeleteThe extended Garthe family who loved him, the many people of Leelanau County who loved & befriended him, and everyone else who was fortunate enough to just know him have lost a truly fine man.
Scott Jones