Frank Garber Jr.

1938 - 2025

Frank Garber Jr.

September 29, 1938 - October 4, 2025

Frank M. Garber, Jr passed away October 4, 2025 at home with his wife and daughter and under the care of St. Croix Hospice after several years of struggling with a lung disease.

He was born September 29, 1938 in Washington, D.C. to Frank Garbers, Sr and Betsy (Symonds) Garbers. He was raised in the King of Prussia, PA area during World War 2, attending public school and spending time with his grandpa riding the local trains as he worked the PA railroads. After the war, the family moved to the Front Royal, VA area. He joined the U S Navy and served as corpsman on President Eisenhower's Good Will Tour around the world on board ship "Intrepid"

He married and to this union were born two sons, Robert and Patrick. They later divorced.

In 1979, he married Heather Cartwright O'Connor and they moved to Eau Claire. He joined Midelfort Clinic as a surgical first assistant working with OR staff at both Luther Hospital and Sacred Heart. When the clinic joined Mayo Clinic, he became an employee of Mayo, retiring one day before his 80th birthday.

After retirement, he spent many hours with Center for Independent Living driving clients to appointments, shopping or helping meet their needs. This led to many new relationships.

He enjoyed many good times with friends working at Carson Park Train Rides and just helping with projects at the station. To many he became, Frank the train driver.

He assisted at Good Shepherd helping in their outreach events, especially assisting with Project Backpack, Ruby's Pantry, packing and delivering weekend kids meals to Roosevelt School. He enjoyed the weekly bowling and card games with husbands of all nurses who were friends of Heather.

Frank and Heather have many memories of traveling both domestic and international. One could say that the car never passed a museum, a train ride or a national park without stopping for the day or visiting family or the many friends, whom they had met on international trips.

Survivors include his wife, Heather; sons, Robert Garber and Patrick Garber and daughter, Heidi (Donte) Perkins; brothers, Ron (Bonnie) Garber, Jon (Vesta) Garber, Arthur"Skip" (Linda) Garber; sisters, Sandra Cook and Brenda (Gary) Ratlief; sister-in-laws, Delores Garber and Robin (Ken) Wanner; brothers-in-law, Ray (Toni) Cartwright and Kevin (Vikki) Cartwright; grandchildren; Shannon (Kevin) Grove, Alex Garber, Samantha Garber, Alyssa (Darwin) Nunez, Xakezion Perkins and Skyzayus Perkins and Lucas Garber; 5 great-grandchildren and special friend, Lacy (Thomas) Sahr and her family and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death were his parents, his in laws, daughter-in-law, Jacque Austin; brother, Richard Garber; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Earl King and brother-in-law, Clarence Cook.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am on December 5, 2025 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1120 Cedar St, Eau Claire with Pastor Josh Toufar officiating. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Good Shepherd Endowment Fund or Chippewa Valley Railroad Foundation.

Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.