Gary Traverse

1936 – 2018

Gary E. Traverse, 82, Columbia Heights, Minnesota, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 30, 2018, at Unity Hospital in Fridley.

He was born in Huntersville, the son of Charlie and Lillie (Hill) Traverse on September 3, 1936. Gary grew up on a farm and went to a one room country school for first through eighth grades in Huntersville District 50. He graduated from Menahga High School in 1955. Gary worked as a hired hand on a farm during the summer months and then he moved to Minneapolis shortly after graduating, where he started working as a punch press operator to set up and operate automatic assembly machines at Honeywell. Soon after he attended and graduated from Dunwoody Trade School to become a Tool and Die Maker. He also earned an Associate degree from Minneapolis Community College. He later became a Tool Room supervisor/manager. In total, Gary had a forty-year career at Honeywell/Alliant Techsystems until he retired in 1995.

He married Darlene Bauer on April 23, 1966, at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Following their marriage, they moved to Columbia Heights, and have made their home there ever since.
Gary took great pride in his yard, gardening and home. In addition, he enjoyed his weekends in the summer at his trailer at Carefree Country Club in Big Lake. He also enjoyed watching football and baseball, especially the Twins. Gary loved visiting with his family and friends. In his spare time, he enjoyed attending the Pontiac car shows and for about 30 years was a club member.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Darlene Traverse of Columbia Heights; one daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and Mitchell Watson, of Columbia Heights; siblings: Elvin (Bonnie) of Traverse, Madison, Wisconsin, Bonnie Sandin of Cambridge, and Roger (Kay) Traverse of Rochester, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Lillie and siblings: Royal, Robert, Mildred, and Benjamin.