Safford, Charles Erwin 1920 – 2012

SAFFORD, GINAPP, DETERS, YOUNG, JOHNSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/2/2013 at 13:15:35

Source: Decorah Journal July 19, 2012, A-10

Charles Safford

Charles Erwin Safford, 91, of Tacoma, Wash., died suddenly at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Wash., Tuesday, June 5, 2012. A memorial service will be held in his honor July 28, at Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, Minn., at 1 p.m. Reception to follow on Pud Deters’ farm at 5 p.m. Donations in Charles’ name can be made to Gift of Life Transplant House 705 2nd St SW Rochester, MN 55902 or Seattle Cancer Care Alliance PO Box 19023 Seattle, WA 98109

Charles was born in Freemont Township, Winneshiek County, July 23, 1920. As a young man Charles traveled out west and worked on planes for Boeing. He served in the Merchant Marines during WWII. Charles returned to Minnesota after WWII, married Imagene Wilhelmina Ruth Ginapp in 1947, and began farming near Canton. They moved to Tacoma, Wash. in 1967. He worked as a heating engineer for Pacific Lutheran University until his retirement. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage when he lost his sweetheart in 2004. In recent years Charles spent time with his friends playing bingo.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Joseph Safford; his daughter, Carmaleta Jean Deters (Allen); and his wife, Imagene.

He is survived by one sister, LaVonne Young; four sons: Duane Safford (Eileen), Arden Safford (Kathy), Lorry Safford (Leighanne), Ricky Safford (Kris); one daughter, Cindy Johnson (Greg), 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.