A memorial service for the late Brookfield Ald. Jim Garvens was held Tuesday morning at , 16350 Gebhardt Rd.
Garvens, 75, died Feb. 8 from complications following knee surgery.
Garvens' biggest loves in retirement — his family, the Elmbrook Rotary Club and the City of Brookfield — were on display at his visitation Monday evening at in Brookfield.
Garvens was the longest-serving current alderman, first appointed in 1991. City and state flags stood next to his casket, as did rotating members of the city Police Department's Honor Guard. A bouquet of flowers from the Brookfield Common Council was prominently displayed.
A steady line of mourners filled the funeral home. Photos covered boards around the room with images of Garvens holding his grandchildren, riding ATVs and golf carts, whitewater rafting and enjoying time up at a family cabin on Lake Minong in northern Wisconsin. One board showed all his cars, old and new, including the red Porsche he sometimes drove to City Hall. The Porsche was parked in the funeral home lot Monday night.
Known for having a sweet tooth, Garvens also usually had a stash of candy to hand out to his grandkids. They honored their grandfather Monday by placing candy in his casket.
A district governor for the Elmbrook Rotary Club, Garvens received a plaque last June honoring him for 22 years of perfect attendance at club meetings.
Garvens also was honored during the Friday cross-town rivalry boys basketball game, at which there was a moment of silence for him before the Honor Guard display.
Garvens is survived by Lorna, his wife of 54 years; his children Jim, Jon, Jay, Grant and Sandy; his daughters-in law Angie, Marlo and Angela; and his grandchildren Ben, Jake, Logan, Alex, Ian, Asher, Ella, Nadia and Anna.
The public can add their condolences or photos of Garvens in comments here on Brookfield Patch, on this guest book or via Becker Ritter.
Memorials are suggested to Brookfield Congregational United Church U.C.C., of which Garvens was a member for 50 years, or Rotary International.
More information on Garvens is available in his death notice and a .
