Charles Lindgren (1939-2015)

LINDGREN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/2/2015 at 20:20:46

Charles "Chuck" Lindgren

Charles "Chuck" Lindgren, 75, of Maquoketa, Iowa passed away after a short battle with cancer on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa.

The family will celebrate Chuck's life with a visitation from 2 pm to 5 pm on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. Those who are able to attend are encouraged to come with a smile on their face and stories with which to entertain Chuck's grandchildren. Chuck has donated his body to the University of Iowa College of Medicine. A memorial service will be held in Iowa City at a later date.

Chuck was born on November 21, 1939 in Burlington, Iowa to Carl and Adeline Lindgren. He attended grade school and high school in Media, Ilinois graduating in 1957. After graduation, he attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois where he also enrolled in the Naval Reserves. From 1958 to 1960 he served in active duty aboard the U.S.S. Bexar, reaching the rank of Second Class Petty Officer. After returning to college, he graduated with a B.S.Ed in 1963. His first teaching job was in Downers Grove, Illinois. In 1966 Chuck earned a master's degree in counseling and became a guidance counselor at LaHarpe High School in LaHarpe Illinois, where he worked for two years. On June 15, 1968 he married Mary Ann Mueller. In 1969 Chuck and Mary Ann moved to Maquoketa, Iowa, taking the counseling position at Maquoketa High School. He retired in 2003. Chuck took particular pride in knowing the names of every student that went through the school.

Chuck could play multiple instruments, including the piano, saxophone, clarinet, and, as it was often boasted but never actually proven, the accordion. He was in the pit band of many Peace Pipe Players musicals. In his retirement, Chuck often fished, and when he was not fishing, he was thinking about fishing. His favorite spots were the Mississippi River and Truman Lake in Missouri where he fished with his fishing-partner-for-life Boyd, and sometimes they even caught fish. He was also a regular and enthusiastic spectator at Maquoketa High School sporting events and at his grandchildren's many activities. Chuck was very proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife Mary Ann; son David (Sandy) Lindgren of Urbandale; daughter Christa (David) McLaughlin of Eldridge; and his grandchildren Nile, Ella, Tate, Sam and Sophie. Also, sister Vieva (Bill) Pence of Lomax, Illinois; sister Arline Larson of Aurora, Illinois; brother Harold (Barb) Lindgren of Cypress, Texas; sister-in-law Nancy Woodside of Mt. Carroll, Illinois; brother-in-law Boyd (Judy) Mueller of LaHarpe, Illinois; brother-in-law Phil (Anne) Mueller of Springfield, Illinois; and sister-in-law Susan (Wes) Westbrooks of Ada, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marie.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Charles V. "Chuck" Lindgren memorial fund has been established with funds used to support the Maquoketa Schools, or to a charity of the donor's choice.