Calvin George LaPorte

MANITOWISH WATERS, Wis. - Calvin George LaPorte, 91, business leader and active community resident of Manitowish Waters, died peacefully on May 20, 2016, at Our Home K-Care in Lac du Flambeau.

He was born on April 21, 1925, in Rhinelander, the son of George and Anna (nee Mattson) LaPorte. Mr. LaPorte is survived by his children, Barbara (Mike) Bartling and David (Jane Sedivy) LaPorte; his stepchildren, Patricia Stone, Fred (Terry) Theisen, Rich (DeEtte) Theisen and Tom (Barb) Theisen; as well as 13 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Pukall; his wife, Joyce Bartling Theisen; his siblings, Dorothy Bart and Jim LaPorte; and his nephews, Ronnie and George Bart.

Cal's grandparents arrived in the Manitowish Waters area in 1889 from Wausau. The LaPorte family quickly became business pioneers in the early development of the community, eventually establishing LaPorte's Grocery in 1937. The store became a local fixture in the area and the primary business for Cal, who invested 75 years of his working life there.

Education began for Cal at the Spider Lake Grade School in Manitowish Waters and continued at Hurley High School, from where he became a proud member of the graduating Class of 1943. Cal obtained his post high school degree from Coyne Electrical School in 1944 and then proceeded to work for LC Coleman in Chicago, before returning home to work in the grocery business.

Cal's community support and involvement was extensive. For more than 50 years, Cal was the caretaker of the Rest Lake dam in Manitowish Waters, responsible for maintaining the water level of the chain of lakes. Less known to others was his service as the local weather station record-keeper during this same period, once recording a temperature of 52 degrees below zero.

Throughout his life, Cal invested much of his time with community organizations and local government positions. He served as the Manitowish Waters town clerk and was a member of the Manitowish Waters Fire Company and the Manitowish Waters Lions Club. Additionally, he was a member of the Shriner and Mason organizations. Cal also served on the Board of Directors of the Community Savings and Loan in Minocqua.

Cal's "15 minutes of fame" can be connected to his ninth birthday party and the subsequent John Dillinger shoot-out at Little Bohemia Lodge. Historical records of the event indicate that on Saturday April 21, 1934, Cal's Aunt Nancy and cousin, Emil Wanatka, used the excuse of attending his birthday party to remove themselves from the danger of the anticipated FBI raid, which took place on April 22.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday June 11, at 1 p.m., at the Manitowish Waters Community Church. It will be a time for all to share memories and favorite stories of "Big Cal."

Donations in Cal's memory can be made to Manitowish Waters Music in the Park, or the newly formed Manitowish Waters Historical Society.

Bolger Cremation and Funeral Service of Woodruff and Minocqua is assisting the family, bolgerfuneral.com.