Kathleen Wanvig

Kathy (Travis) Wanvig
While Kathy's family is saddened by her death, we are fortified by our belief, and Kathy's, that a new chapter in her everlasting life has begun. Kathy was born and raised in the Mississippi Courts of North Minneapolis and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1960. Kathy married Marc Wanvig and together they raised and nurtured 2 sons, Robb Travis Wanvig , and Marc Travis Wanvig. Kathy had a successful career in advertising, eventually attaining the position of VP of Operations at Campbell-Mithun. After leaving the advertising world, Kathy embarked on a series of jobs that provided more flexibility and allowed her to travel and explore other passions.

Kathy had many passions. She had a love of horses throughout her life. She owned 2 horses and frequently went on days-long trail rides in Arizona. She was also involved in an organization called We Can Ride that provided an opportunity for disabled children to ride. Kathy also spent 3 months in a key organizational role working for the Special Olympics. Kathy loved Arizona and the Southwest where she frequently visited her cousin / friend Lynne Vien. One year Kathy purchased a motor home and traveled around the Southwest and along the West Coast with her children. After retirement Kathy began spending a couple of months in Arizona each winter. Kathy enjoyed artistic expression. She painted, created wood-carvings, made pottery, and tried her hand at writing. Kathy was very interested in spirituality and alternative medicine and eventually became a teacher of Chi Gung. Kathy loved to read and do crossword puzzles.

For most of her life the Minneapolis area remained Kathy's home, though in a quest to enjoy the beauty of nature and a "playground" for herself and her two "four legged children" (Gracie and Cricket), Kathy relocated to Nimrod and later Park Rapids. While living in Park Rapids she worked part-time at Briget's House and Beagle Books. She was also involved in the Lifelong Learning program there. She even took a stab at acting at the Long Lake Community Theater in Hubbard.

Kathy was preceded in death by her loving parents, Robert James Travis Jr and Francis (Fritz) Travis and Parent in-laws, Marc and Fern Wanvig. Kathy was a very giving person who remembered others frequently, and as such she is survived by a large and non-traditional family that includes her sons, Marc and Robb, Robb's wife Ann and their two children Cole and Nash. Kathy's husband of many years and father of their children, Marc James Wanvig, continued to be a lifelong companion and source of support for Kathy as did his wife, Dorothy Hoffman and their son, Matt. Kathy is also survived by her siblings, James Edmund Travis (and wife, Marie), Timothy Robert Travis (and wife Janell) and Tina Marie Sowers (and husband, Wayne). In addition to her immediate family, Kathy enjoyed great relationships with her extended Travis and Wanvig families. As special thanks also goes out to Kathy's many close High School friends, especially Sandy Mickelson, and her friends in Nimrod and Park Rapids who befriended and cared for Kathy, especially (Carl and Juleen Malm and neighbor Cliff).

Kathy's life will be celebrated and remembered at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Stillwater, MN on Friday, December 21st, with visitation among family and friends from noon - 3 PM. Additional details can be found at www.bradshawfuneral.com.

Please provide memorials for the American Lung Association, the Animal Humane Society or your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.