Gregg John Guthrie

On Sep. 12, 2024, Gregg John Guthrie’s address was changed to Heaven, where he joined Jesus, family, friends and veteran buddies already there. For those of us left earth-side, we are thankful for all the qualities that made him quintessentially Gregg: unwavering faith, love of community, an adventurous soul, creativity, and compassion for others. As a Marine Warrior Christ-Follower Friend, he would first want to encourage all of you reading this to “keep on keeping on,” and he would hand you a John 3:16 card if he could.

Gregg was born on June 3, 1937, in Chicago, to Miriam (VanBuskirk) Guthrie and Benedict Guthrie of Lac du Flambeau. A tribal member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Gregg was dedicated to creating cultural bridges through art, events, and education. He, along with his close basket-maker friend Jerry Maulson, was a champion for bringing Lac du Flambeau artists into the light of the larger community. 

Gregg attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for business and went on to receive his teaching certification from the University of California-Berkeley. In January 1970, Gregg placed his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and his life was profoundly transformed. Shortly after, he completed his master of divinity at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Over the next 20 years, Gregg pastored with love and compassion at churches in Lac du Flambeau, Harshaw, and Lake Tomahawk, and in an interim role for other local churches when needed. He served our northwoods community as a board member for the Wisconsin State Historical Society, the Lac du Flambeau Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl, the George W. Brown, Jr. Museum, and the Town of Lac du Flambeau, and was the Treasurer for the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council. 

Gregg was a proud Marine Corps veteran who served from 1958 to 1961 and remained in the inactive reserve until 1964. With gratitude for his fellow veterans, he served as Chaplain for Legion Post 318 in Lake Tomahawk. For seven years, starting at the keen age of 80, Gregg led summer chapel services at Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk. Those who attended know he liked to end the service with the hymn “Amazing Grace” and a Marine “Hoorah!”

Gregg is survived by his wife, Kay (Kraft) Guthrie; his four children, Marcus (Lichelle) Guthrie of Lake Tomahawk, Miriam (Russell) Martin of Jacksonport, Anna (Eric) Schaberg of Shoreview, Minn., and Edith (Nathan) Nelson of Trenary, Mich.; and his grandchildren, Emma, Berit, Bode, Rhea, Elijah, Noley, Katherine, Benjamin, Rowan, and Silas. He was also honored to be the uncle of Paris Valaskakis of Montreal, Quebec, and Ion Valaskakis of Los Angeles. Gregg was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Gail Guthrie Valaskakis, and his granddaughter Effie Anaya Guthrie.

A time of remembrance will be held Friday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m., at Nimsgern Funeral Home in Woodruff. A gathering will be held Saturday, Sept 28, 4 p.m., in Lac du Flambeau. 

In lieu of flowers, we think Gregg would prefer you to skip a stone on the lake, dance in a powwow, encourage a veteran, or share John 3:16 with someone. From our family to all of you: Thank you and Miigwetch! 

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.