Lars Marius Gjovik

Lars Marius Gjovik, 84, of Astoria, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, in Astoria.

He was born Aug. 14, 1926, in Astoria, to Jacob Marius Gjovik and Ingeborg Pauline Sandness.

Raised in Astoria, he graduated from Astoria High School in 1944. In addition to going to school, he worked in the canneries.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school, and served from November 1944 to November 1946.

On March 18, 1952, he married Margaret Nina Gilmour, in Ocean Park, Wash. She preceded him in death Jan. 8, 1976.

After his military service was completed, Mr. Gjovik returned to Astoria and worked as a commercial fisherman. In mid-1956, he began working for Crown-Zellerbach as a boomman, which he continued until December 1970, when he became disabled from a fire at his home.

He was a member of the Sons of Norway Lodge and the John Day Diking District.

Family members said his hobbies throughout his life were fishing, clam digging, gardening, wood cutting, blackberry picking, trapping, stamp collecting and taking care of his cows. He enjoyed card parties and babysitting for his grandchildren.

He is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Nancy Claterbos of Warrenton, Paula and Rex Simantel of Astoria and Martha and Paul Frederickson of Duluth, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Leslie Claterbos and her companion, Jason Palmberg, and Stephanie Meadows and her husband, Rob, all of Astoria, Samantha Claterbos of Portland, Meredith "Ditsy" Claterbos of San Diego, Lars Ronald Gjovik of Knappa, Kristin Frederickson of Duluth and Matt Frederickson of Manchester, N.H.; four great-grandchildren, Taylor, Ava and Teague Palmberg and Lily Meadows, all of Astoria; and two close friends, Art Johnson and Sujay Kumar Nakka of Astoria.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Ronald Gjovik in March 2000, and Lars Gjovik Jr. in May 1958; and a brother, Anton Gjovik.

Private burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Astoria.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Lars Gjovik Memorial Fund for the purchase of a granite bench in the Alderbrook area of Astoria, in care of Paula Simantel, 809 Florence Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.

Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com