David John Garthus

David (Dave) John Garthus, 77, of Cheboygan, passed away unexpectedly at home on January 21, 2024. 

Dave was born on June 19, 1946, in Wrenshall, Minnesota to Oscar and Leone Garthus.  He was the youngest of six children and was raised on the family farm and continued to help on the farm for many years.  In 1968 he received his Bachelor of Science degree in History from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.  He received a Teaching Certificate and began his teaching career in Cheboygan.  He married Betty Bur on June 7, 1975, and they made their home in Cheboygan for the next 49 years, even though Dave’s heart was always in Minnesota.

Dave retired from teaching in 1996, after 28 years at the Cheboygan Middle School.  Because of his love of history, he became involved with the Cheboygan History Center.  He was knowledgeable in all areas of history, but especially in Cheboygan history. He was an avid reader and a master of trivia, as well as an experienced gardener - and skillful sauerkraut maker.  He was a great conversationalist, had a quick wit about him, and had an answer for everything.

In his younger years, he loved hunting and fishing.  He had a small hunting camp in Minnesota near his childhood family farm.  For many years in November, he would meet his brother Dennis at the camp, and they would hunt, reminisce, and enjoy their time together.

Dave was extremely proud of his Norwegian heritage and his greatest pleasure was going to Norway in 2000 and 2002 to see where his grandfather was born and raised.  He and Betty had the honor of staying with relatives who still own the Garthus Family Farm, where they were able to embrace the culture and sample many of the Norwegian foods.

Dave is survived by his wife of 49 years, Betty, his brother Dennis and wife Duann, his sisters-in-law Mary Bur, Barbara Dykstra, Jo-Ann LaHaie and brother-in-law Timothy Bur and wife Lo-Ann, and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother.

No services are planned at this time.