CALEB B. "LIB" CAVALLIN
Caleb
(Lib) Cavallin, of Pine City, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Lakeside Medical Center surrounded by his family.
He was 91 years old.
He was born on July 9, 1917 to Ernst and Axeline Cavallin on a farm in Waldo near
Two Harbors. His parents immigrated from Sweden and he was very proud of his Swedish heritage. His mom passed
away when he was 17. Caleb attended Virginia Junior College. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in
Danville, Kentucky. He met and married his wife of 65 years, Mary Ann Burke, on September 14, 1943. Mary Ann was
an army nurse. He was stationed at the Panama Canal until after World War II ended in 1945. He then rejoined Mary
and his son, Richard (age 15 months) in Nebraska City. After spending a few weeks in Nebraska City they started off
for Minnesota. Lib worked with his brothers in Two Harbors, first with Erland doing plumbing work, and then with Gideon.
He then managed a Standard gas station. Their first home was in Larsmont on Lake Superior.
By 1957,
the Cavallin family had grown to five children and they made the move to Pine City. Lib started his own business, Cavallin
Ford. The business celebrated 51 years this past September. He was an active member of the Methodist Church, a
member of the American Legion, V.F.W., and Pine City Chamber of Commerce. Caleb enjoyed hobby farming, John Deere lawn
tractors, Billy Graham, Gospel music, fishing, swimming, and boating. He loved family get-togethers at the farm and
also at the island on the Snake River. He and Mary also shared 17 years as winter Texans.
He will
be remembered as a loving husband, devoted dad, granddad, great granddad, brother, uncle, great uncle, cousin and good friend.
He always put the needs of his family before himself. He had a sense of humor that put people at ease. Even in
his last days when he was very sick, he seemed more concerned about others around him.
When asked how he
was, Lib would always reply, "Good." He was very polite and always thanked people for coming to visit him.
He was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
Caleb was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Erland,
David, Gideon, Swaney, and Joseph; his sister Amy, brother and sister-in-law Eddie and Catherine Friede, his grandson Kevin
Peterson and his great granddaughter Nikki Westman.
Caleb and Mary had six children: Richard Allen (Sandra),
John Ernest (Mary Jo), Carol Ann (David Peterson), Thomas Burke (Janice), Nancy Jane (Jonathan Friedlieb), and Ronald Joseph
(Julie). Lib also had many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Caleb cared deeply about each of his family
members, and took an active interest in their lives.
