Charles R. Shamla

Obituary

Charles Richard Shamla was born on June 4, 1944, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Otto and Bernadine (Harpel) Shamla. Charles was welcomed home by his older brothers Ben and John. Charles received his elementary and high school education in Glencoe and graduated with the Glencoe High School class of 1962. He was very involved in athletics, Boy Scouts, and church activities. During high school, he excelled in band, music, and speech. He continued his education at the University of Notre Dame and graduated from there in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with a major in Economics.

Following college, Charles enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. After enduring a rigorous boot camp and infantry officer training at Quantico, VA, he was directed to Camp LeJeune in North Carolina for supply school training. After a 13-month paid vacation in Vietnam, he served 14 months at Camp Pendleton in California. He was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge on December 15, 1969.

After his 3-year stint with the Corps., Charles was employed by the Northwestern Bank of Minneapolis. He worked as a teller supervisor and a marketing and planning specialist for 3 years. Charles decided banking was not for him, and he was recruited by his Dad to help out at the family gas station. He made a 43-year career of running the Glencoe Oil Company. Working with his dad, brother, John, and all the other fine employees agreed well with Charles. He enjoyed working with his hands, getting dirty, dealing with farmers, and working on all the management duties that come along with running a business.

In 1976, Charles met Linda Berninghaus at the Bicentennial Celebration. They were married in 1977 and blessed with two beautiful children, Elizabeth and Richard.

In 1995, Charles jumped into the arena of Glencoe politics and served on the city council for 15 years. Charles retired from business in 2014 when the Glencoe Oil Co. was sold. Throughout the years, Charles served on the board of directors of Glencoe Mills Inc., was active in the Glencoe Chamber as president and director, and was also involved in many other civic affairs in the community. 

Charles was a generous, kind-hearted man and a devoted father and grandfather. A lifelong football enthusiast, he proudly cheered for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Minnesota Vikings. He also found great joy in fishing, duck and goose hunting, embracing the outdoors with enthusiasm.

Of all his accomplishments, none meant more to him than his family. He cherished time spent at the family cabin, where simple pleasures became lasting memories. For Charles, the perfect day ended with a sunset cruise on the water and a lively game of Buck Euchre surrounded by loved ones.

Charles passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, at the age of 81 years and 22 days.

He is survived by his son, Richard Shamla, and his wife, Heather; his stepson, Donovan Lewis, and his wife, Katrina, of Houston, TX; and his son-in-law, Christian Friesen of St. Paul, MN. He was a proud grandfather to Kennedy and Maddix of Clara City, MN, and Jessica Lewis of Kingsville, TX.

Charles is also survived by his brother, Ben Shamla, and nephew, Nicolas Shamla, both of Bloomington, MN; as well as cousins Mary Johnson of St. Louis Park, MN, and Thomas Shamla of Minneapolis, MN; along with many other relatives and dear friends.

Charles was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Elizabeth Shamla-Friesen; his parents, Otto and Bonnie Shamla; his brother, John Shamla; his sister-in-law, Susan Shamla; and his niece, Sarah Shamla.