Martin Charles Gavic

Martin Charles Gavic (Marty) of Fridley, MN passed away February 19th, 2025 at age 90. He was born October 19, 1934 to Martin Charles Gavic Sr. and his wife Selma (Lindbloom). He grew up in NE Minneapolis with his 3 younger brothers, Robert, Glen and Lenny. He attended Edison High School where he lettered in baseball. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. While there, he took advantage of the opportunity to explore many European countries and also bought a 1957 black Volkswagen Beetle as a “souvenir” of his time spent in Germany. Many of his stories began with, “When I was in the Army….” And when they did, we knew we were in for an epic tale!

He met Thelma (Johnson) on a blind date which was arranged through one of Thelma’s patients while working in the hospital who had suggested she might like his friend Marty. He was right, and they married on June 14, 1958. Marty went to work at Olson Plumbing in Columbia Heights, MN as an apprentice. He was the top plumber apprentice at the Purdue University nationwide competition. He continued his employment with Olson Plumbing for 20 yrs and went on to work as the Assistant Chief Plumbing Inspector for the City of Minneapolis for the remainder of his career. He also taught lead wiping for Plumbers Local 15 night school at Dunwoody Institute and was a part time Plumbing Inspector for Columbia Heights in his early career.

He and Thelma started their family in 1961 with the birth of Paul and in 1964 with the birth of Wendy. Marty and his family enjoyed spending time at his hobby farm in Ottertail, Minnesota for the last 54 yrs. Marty loved fishing, hunting, working on cars, spending time with his family and going to every grandsons’ sporting event. His real passion was his Christian faith. He was always giving his time, talent and money to the furtherance of the Gospel. He loved praying for people and seeing them healed, delivered and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Both he and Thelma taught Sunday school for many years at First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights and Elmwood Church in Saint Anthony.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers Robert and Glen, and great grandson Issac. Survived by his wife Thelma, brother Lenny, (Dede), children Paul (Virgene) grandsons Nathan, Noah, Caleb and Jesse and 13 great grandchildren, Wendy Jagt (Dan), grandsons David, Ben, Joe, Sam, Jon, Gabriel, Jordan, Michael, and 2 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Banquets of Minnesota, 6310 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley, MN 55432. Reviewal at 9:00 am, service at 10:00 am, brunch at 11:00 am and interment at Ft Snelling National Cemetery at 2:00 pm with police escort leaving Banquets of MN at 12:45 pm.

He was with the love of his life, Thelma, when he passed at Personal Care Assisted Living in Columbia Heights.