Charles A. Yoerger (1933-2017)
YOERGER, MCPHERSON, TABKE, GERSON, BJORKLUND, STONE
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/4/2017 at 12:01:06
Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.
Charles A. Yoerger (Chuck or Charlie) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at Accura Healthcare of Ames on July 31, 2017. Charles was born June 25, 1933 in Sioux City, Iowa, the eldest child of Faye (Tabke) McPherson and Norel McPherson. His father passed of pneumonia when Charles was 3 leaving his mother and two younger siblings. Faye remarried in 1938 to a farmer from north of Sioux City, Charles W. Yoerger. Charlie W. immediately adopted the three children and later two additional sons were born.
Charles graduated in 1950 from Liberty Consolidated School and worked on the family farm. He attended South Dakota State at Brookings for 2 years as an Agriculture major. In college he became known as Chuck. He met Dorothy (Gerson) at an "Old-Time" dance in Sioux City in 1958; they were engaged in 1959 and married October 7, 1960. He worked for F.W. Means Linen Company as a Route Salesman in Sioux City, Branch Manager in Perry, and Area Manager in Ames. He switched careers in 1973, working for a local painting contractor, then worked at the Iowa State University Physical Plant as a painter from 1981 to 1999. His coworkers called him Charlie, which he preferred to either Charles or Chuck.
After retirement in 1999, Charlie returned to his love of working outside by volunteering at Reiman Gardens. He served on the Co-Horts Board and loved working with the roses. After a mild stroke in 2004 he had to limit outdoor work and became a handyman, doing repair work and display creation. In 2013 after another medical setback, he switched to serving as a docent in the Butterfly Wing. He loved meeting all the interesting people at the Gardens (staff, volunteers, and the public). Charlie and Dorothy made many friends through bowling, square dancing, camping, and St. John's Episcopal Church. Additional retirement highlights were their trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and Texas. They moved to Windsor Oaks in 2015.
Charlie is survived by his wife Dorothy of Ames, daughter Diane (Bruce) Bjorklund of Ames, daughter Marilyn (Ben) Stone of West Des Moines, son Robert (Christine) Yoerger of Bettendorf, and seven grandchildren: Erika & Bryan Bjorklund; Thomas, Hope & Nate Stone; and Sarah & Nolan Yoerger. He is also survived by his three brothers Keith, Larry & Don; sister Jan; and two sisters-in-law, as well as dozens of nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister-in-law.
A visitation will be Friday, August 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. and the Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, August 12, at 11:30 a.m. at St. John's by the Campus Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to honor Charlie may be sent to St. John's Episcopal Church, 2338 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014; Reiman Gardens, 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011; or Heartland Senior Services Adult Day Care, 205 S Walnut Ave, Ames, IA 50010. Condolences may be shared at www.adamssoderstrum.com.
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Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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