Chabela, Leonard C. "Chuck" 1943-2009
CHABELA, NOGGLE, HARRELSON
Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/3/2010 at 15:25:03
From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 29, 2009
Leonard C. "Chuck" Chabela, 66, of Le Mars, died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.
Chuck was born Jan. 13, 1943, in Prairie du Chien, Wis., the son of Fern (Noggle) and Leonard (Jake) Chabela. He was raised in Prairie du Chien and attended St. Gabriel's Elementary and graduated in 1961 from Prairie du Chien Sr. High. On Jan. 6, 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Lorene "Lori" (Harrelson) Chabela.
Chuck began his printing career in high school working for the Courier-Press. Shortly after his marriage, he began working for Montgomery Ward's, managing stores in Wausau, Oshkosh, and Prairie du Chien, Wis. He then became a district manager, serving the Upper Midwest.
In 1972, Chuck's passion for the newspaper business led him to Orange City, where he became an owner of the former Sioux County Capitol. As an avid sports fan, his favorite part of the business was covering local sports for both of the high schools and Northwestern College, as both the photographer and writer. When Chuck wasn't covering sports, he was selling advertisements to area retailers.
In January 1980, Chuck went to work at K-Products as vice president of graphics and publications. Chuck served as editor for the first employee newsletter, "The Bill Board." Following his employment at K-Products, Chuck and Lorene owned and operated their own advertising agency and the Hatchery Restaurant & Lounge in Orange City.
Chuck was a member of the Prairie du Chien Rescue Squad and local Jaycee Chapter. He was active serving on committees promoting the Orange City Chamber of Commerce, Northwestern College, and the Tulip Festival.
Chuck was a member of St. James Catholic Church of Le Mars.
Survivors include his mother, Fern Chambers of Prairie du Chien, Wis.; his wife, Lorene Chabela of Le Mars; one son, Brad Chabela of Le Mars and his children, Zach, Lucas, Mickey, and Hannah; a daughter, Cindy Ahlers her husband Keith of Remsen, and their children, Ryan, Jacob, Craig, Justina, and Shaylynn; a daughter Dina Baas her husband Mike of Le Mars, and their children, Mitch, Haley, and Leah; a daughter Annie Van Der Zwaag her husband Tony of Boyden, and their children, Cody, Laura, and Jack; two great-grandsons, Brayden Buffington and Owen Clarey; one sister, Sandy Colleran of Pewaukee, Wis.; one brother, Joe Chabela and his wife Karen of Pewaukee, Wis.; one step-sister, Sally Ryan and her husband John of Prairie du Chien, Wis.; and one step-brother Jim Chambers.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jake Chabela; step-father, Stan Chambers; and one brother-in-law, Pat Colleran.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. The Rev. Matt Hewitt will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars at a later date. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. James and will continue until Mass.
The Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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