April 15, 1928 – March 29, 2023
Walter Sve died on a sunny morning, in a house he built overlooking the lake he loved, with his family around him. He left us the way he lived, with peace and contentment.
Walt’s life was defined by hard work, family and friends. Born into one of the North Shores iconic fishing families, Walt was working on the lake from an early age. At 16, he quit school to become a commercial fisherman and never looked back. Walt also worked for the DM&IR in Two Harbors, he spent over 25 years working as a carpenter, and for a time was a caretaker for the Encampment Forest Association. Walt and his wife Carol operated the family business, Split Rock Cabins, for 26 years and enjoyed the friendships he had with so many of their longtime guests. But through all his years of work, what Walt truly loved was being on the lake, pulling nets and choking herring until he was 90 years old. He was still helping clean fish at 94!
Walt loved to share the stories of his life as a commercial fisherman and was the subject of many newspaper articles, radio and film interviews, and he recently finished a book of his memoirs. He is included in displays at the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum in Tofte and at the Split Rock Lighthouse. Walt had speaking engagements with various groups along the shore and many an hour was spent regaling friends and family with his adventures on the lake.
Walt was a founding member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Castle Danger, he belonged to the Sons of Norway Terje Viken lodge for over 70 years and helped inspire the creation of the Save Lake Superior Association with his efforts to oppose pollution of the lake.
Walt’s easy-going nature, good humor and zest for life will not soon be forgotten. He will be deeply missed by many, but especially by his whole family that he held so dear.
Walter was preceded in death by his wife Carol; parents Ragnvald and Ragnhild; brother Leonard, sister Verna and her husband Bob Torstenson; and friend Helen Wilkie.
He is survived by his brother Floyd (Roberta) Sve; sister-in-law, Audrey Sve; his children, Laurie (Mark) Hauschild, Kerry (Michelle Frazier) Sve, Steve Sve and Eric Sve; grandchildren Ryan (Ginger) Hauschild, Erika (Jesse) Vorphal, Heidi (Tom) Woerdeman, Kevin Hauschild and Darren (Sarianne) Sve; greatgrandchildren; nieces and nephews; as well as cousins here and in Norway.
Friends and family are welcome to join us for a celebration of Walter’s life on his 95th birthday, April 15th, 2023, at the Two Harbors Community Building, 417 South Avenue from 1-4.
