Charlson, Ray Spencer (1928-2017)
CHARLSON, LOVIK, BOOK, MONROE, RADKE, BRUGGEMAN, MATHEWS, HAUGO
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 6/28/2017 at 12:29:34
Ray Spencer Charlson
October 4, 1928 - May 2, 2017Surrounded by his loving family, Ray Spencer Charlson, 88, of Forest City and Red Wing, transitioned peacefully to Heaven on May 2nd, 2017, at Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa.
Ray was born on October 4, 1928, to Andrew and Gena (Lovik) Charlson and raised on the family farm. Baptized and confirmed at the Winnebago Lutheran Church, he attended school in Lake Mills. Ray worked at farming, Forester, and Winnebago Industries. Devoted to faith, family, farming, fishing, and having fun, he loved to joke with and tease his grandchildren. He, always, had candy hidden away for them as well.
Ray enjoyed dancing, gardening, water skiing, bird-watching, hunting, and traveling. He had visited all fifty states and the family farms in Norway and Sweden. He, especially, enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at his pagoda on the Mississippi River. In addition, he and Violet put great emphasis on education, helping all five of their children earn university master’s degrees. Always bigger than life, Ray provided a source of strength and comfort for many.
Ray is survived by Violet (Book), the love of his life and wife of seventy years, and his children, Cynthia (John) Monroe, of Cedar Rapids, Susan (Jerry) Radke, of Nevada, Jerry (Diane) Charlson, of Thompson, JoAnn Charlson, of Ames, and Barbara Charlson, of Collins; his sisters-in-law, Alice Charlson and LaVerna Charlson; and his brother-in-law, Harold Book; as well as by his many grandchildren and great grandchildren, cousins; nephews, nieces, and extended family members.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his great grandson, Caleb Bruggeman; his siblings and their spouses: Marie (Torjus) Haugo; Agnes (Martel) Mathews; and Glenn (Avis), Herbert, Orven, and Sherman (Sadie) Charlson; and his in-laws: Albert (Dorothy), Clarence (Margaret), Dell (Wanda), Everett, Gus (Pearl), Marlys, Olaf (Ellen), and Otto and Ida Book; Emily (Ben) Harringa; and Luella (Clarence) Johnson; as well as by other beloved family members.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., Friday, May 5, 2017, at the Cataldo Schott Funeral Chapel, 505 North Clark Street, Forest City, Iowa. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Winnebago Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, with Pastors Bill Peters and Steve Pannkuk officiating. Inurnment will follow at a later date in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Winnebago Lutheran Church, 40029 210th Avenue, Lake Mills 50450, or to PO Box 254, Collins, Iowa, 50055.
Cataldo Schott Funeral Home, Forest City, Iowa, 2017.
Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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