George R. Munkwitz, age 98, passed away peacefully at Maplewood Nursing Home on Sept. 23, 2024. He was born in Washington DC on July 6, 1926 to the late Richard and Miriam (Roth) Munkwitz. He graduated from Wisconsin High School in Madison, WI. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was sent to Okinawa Japan where he served as a member of the Navy Seebees during WWII from 1944-1946. Upon his return from the service, he attended Art School in Milwaukee. He worked for Brunsell Brothers Lumber as an Architect and The Century House, both in Madison, Wisconsin. He cared for his mother in Madison and built birchbark canoes, and later he cared for his aunt in Mauston, WI and volunteered at the Juneau County Historical Society.

In Grand Marais, Minnesota, George worked as a canoe outfitter and at the Lake Superior Trading Post. In the evening, he would paddle out to Artist’s Point with his smoked fish dinner. He loved canoe trips to the BWCA, Quetico, Wisconsin rivers and lakes. He also loved hiking, especially the Superior Hiking Trail. Hikes always included a lesson about flowers, trees, plants, bird calls, animals and hiking gear.

George also drew houses for friends and family and always helped with building and home improvements. He loved to plant trees and always had a chainsaw and a lopper/clipper to prune trees. Always creative and artistic, he enjoyed photography, drawing, painting, and hand crafting knives.

George moved into the Midway Manor apartments in Sauk City, WI where he enjoyed making friends with the other residents and became the go-to guy when anyone needed something fixed, even into the last months of his life.

George is predeceased by his parents and William Munkwitz, his brother, and best friend. George is survived by a niece, Sharon Munkwitz; nephews, Jim (Susan) Munkwitz, Dave (Jayne) Munkwitz, grandnephews Kevin Munkwitz, Matthew Munkwitz and Jared Mayer (Allie Swenson); grandniece Jenna Mayer (Brandon Turner) and great nephews Carson Turner and Owen Turner.

A Celebration of George’s Life will be held on October 5th, at 10:00 am at Midway Manor, 200 Webster St., Sauk City where Military Honors will be accorded by the Lachmund-Cramer VFW Post 7694 at 10:30 am.

Donations to: Gunflint Trail Historical Society/ Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center 28 Moose Pond Dr. Grand Marais, MN 55604 https://gunflinthistory. org Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes. com