1941
Gordon
2014
Gordon Ellis Cariveau
September 24, 1941 — December 15, 2014
Gordon Ellis Cariveau Sr.'s life was taken in a car accident on December 15, 2014 near Roberts, WI.
Gordon was born September 24, 1941 in Grand Forks, ND. He attended St. Anthony Grade School, Cathedral High School, and Technical High School in St. Cloud, MN. He graduated in 1959. He received his B.A. degree in Business at Rochester Community College.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1960-1964. He was based in El Toro, CA, New Bern, NC, and Okinawa. He was Right Guide in basic, platoon honor man, and PFC out of boot camp.
Over the years, Gordon worked as dock foreman at St. Cloud Meat Packing, foreman at Altura Rex Turkey, Manager at Mason City Rent All, and Rochester Rent All. He went into the food business in the 1970s purchasing the Woodshed Drive Inn in Chatfield, Mn. He added a mini golf course, canoe rental, and a large second building. He purchased Valley View Motel in Preston, Mn and built a second drive in. He loved training the young teenagers, "the future managers and leaders".
He found out "what he wanted to be when he grew up" when he went into the antique business in Rochester. He was in the first antique mall - Antiques on 3rd. With his wife and partner, Yvonne, he opened his own antiques mall next to Michaels and added a second location in the old bus depot, finally combining both into Antiques Rochester on South Broadway. With Rochester's re-development, he moved and build a shop on Highway 52 in Oronoco and has been there over 24 years. He was also known for his restoration work in furniture and stained glass.
Gordon was a special man who loved life and always found good in people. He was an excellent dancer and loved to dance with his children and grandchildren at family gatherings. The sight of Gordon and Yvonne gliding across the dance floor brought smiles to everyone. In his family, whom he treasured, he was our anchor; words can't describe the loss. He is probably dealing in antiques in heaven.
Mr. Cariveau was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Elizabeth Cariveau, brother Wayne Cariveau, and sister-in-law Shirley Cariveau.
Mr. Cariveau leaves behind the love of his life Yvonne Cariveau, his wife of 54 years; three children, Yvonne Cariveau and her husband Derek Liebertz, Gordon Cariveau and companion Shelly Swanson, and Lance Cariveau and companion Candy Eubanks; six grandchildren, Christina Cariveau, Samantha Karsten, Jacqueline Karsten, Gordon Cariveau III, Luke Cariveau, and Isabella Matthews; and one great-granddaughter, Aubree.
He is also survived by one sister, Jodie Cariveau of Westminster, CA; three brothers, Dennis (Jan) Cariveau, Anthony (Janice) Cariveau and Keith (Judy) Zhorela; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and "adopted" children and grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday December 30th at 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester. The Rev. Thomas Loomis will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
5455 50th Ave NW
Rochester, MN
5455 50th Ave NW
Rochester, MN
Gordon was born September 24, 1941 in Grand Forks, ND. He attended St. Anthony Grade School, Cathedral High School, and Technical High School in St. Cloud, MN. He graduated in 1959. He received his B.A. degree in Business at Rochester Community College.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1960-1964. He was based in El Toro, CA, New Bern, NC, and Okinawa. He was Right Guide in basic, platoon honor man, and PFC out of boot camp.
Over the years, Gordon worked as dock foreman at St. Cloud Meat Packing, foreman at Altura Rex Turkey, Manager at Mason City Rent All, and Rochester Rent All. He went into the food business in the 1970s purchasing the Woodshed Drive Inn in Chatfield, Mn. He added a mini golf course, canoe rental, and a large second building. He purchased Valley View Motel in Preston, Mn and built a second drive in. He loved training the young teenagers, "the future managers and leaders".
He found out "what he wanted to be when he grew up" when he went into the antique business in Rochester. He was in the first antique mall - Antiques on 3rd. With his wife and partner, Yvonne, he opened his own antiques mall next to Michaels and added a second location in the old bus depot, finally combining both into Antiques Rochester on South Broadway. With Rochester's re-development, he moved and build a shop on Highway 52 in Oronoco and has been there over 24 years. He was also known for his restoration work in furniture and stained glass.
Gordon was a special man who loved life and always found good in people. He was an excellent dancer and loved to dance with his children and grandchildren at family gatherings. The sight of Gordon and Yvonne gliding across the dance floor brought smiles to everyone. In his family, whom he treasured, he was our anchor; words can't describe the loss. He is probably dealing in antiques in heaven.
Mr. Cariveau was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Elizabeth Cariveau, brother Wayne Cariveau, and sister-in-law Shirley Cariveau.
Mr. Cariveau leaves behind the love of his life Yvonne Cariveau, his wife of 54 years; three children, Yvonne Cariveau and her husband Derek Liebertz, Gordon Cariveau and companion Shelly Swanson, and Lance Cariveau and companion Candy Eubanks; six grandchildren, Christina Cariveau, Samantha Karsten, Jacqueline Karsten, Gordon Cariveau III, Luke Cariveau, and Isabella Matthews; and one great-granddaughter, Aubree.
He is also survived by one sister, Jodie Cariveau of Westminster, CA; three brothers, Dennis (Jan) Cariveau, Anthony (Janice) Cariveau and Keith (Judy) Zhorela; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and "adopted" children and grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday December 30th at 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester. The Rev. Thomas Loomis will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Visitation
DEC 30. 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (CST)
Holy Spirit Catholic Church5455 50th Ave NW
Rochester, MN
Service
DEC 30. 10:00 AM (CST)
Holy Spirit Catholic Church5455 50th Ave NW
Rochester, MN
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gordon Ellis Cariveau, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Photo Gallery
Visits: 10
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors