Gary Louis Klava, 82, was born at home on September 9, 1939 in Minto, N.D. to Theodosia (Wosick) and Emil Klava. He was the third of their five children. When the family moved to Crookston, he met and married the love of his life, Joyce (Myerchin) on June 9, 1962. Always one for a road trip and adventure, they traveled west to Washington for the World’s Fair and south to California. While returning back east through Colorado, they fell in love with the area. Upon their return to Minnesota, they gave their notice and moved to Colorado two weeks later. Gary and Joyce raised their four children in Arvada for 32 years and Hotchkiss for 13 years. Dad opened his first business, Klava’s Treadmill, on September 25, 1975 on the corner of 58th and Ward Road. In 1979, he bought land up the hill on 52nd and Ward and built Klava’s Service Center which remains a fixture in the community to this day. In 2007, they moved near Austin, Texas, where they met wonderful friends while being involved in hospice work and their faith community, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.
He lived and loved life and everyone to the fullest. Friend to all and stranger to none, Gary struck up conversations with such ease and never passed up an opportunity to join a picnic in a park with new friends. His sense of humor, quick wit and endless supply of jokes endeared him to all. He could fix anything and everything; Gary was a Master Mechanic as well as an unofficial plumber, electrician, carpenter, engineer, landscaper, farmer, rancher, and boat captain. He rebuilt numerous vehicles, including his prized 1994 Studebaker Avanti and 1967 Convertible Corvette. In the great outdoors, Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, four wheeling, exploring ghost towns, and driving over the treacherous Colorado mountain passes. Across his many road trips, he put thousands of miles on many vehicles – especially while driving between Colorado, Minnesota, Washington and Texas. His home away from home was the flea market, where there was always a treasure to find, or bargain to purchase. He would often find a special item for a family member.
Gary is survived by his wife, Joyce, four children Gregory, Michael, Barbara (Wilson), and Carin (Vos), their spouses, his brother Emil, sister Virjean (Flakne), 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Cyril, and sister Carolyn (Miller).
Memorial Service was held Saturday, June 25, 2022 at St. Christopher’s Episcopalian Church, 8724 Travis Hills Drive, Austin TX at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either St. Christopher’s Episcopalian Church or Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, TX 78759.
