Service Information
Charles “Chuck” H. Warner, age 93, of Brownton, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, April 19th, 2018, at his daughter’s home in Apopka, Florida.
Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. at the Congregational Church in Brownton, with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Brownton.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Friday, May 11, 2018, from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the Congregational Church in Brownton, and will continue on Saturday for one hour prior to the service, all at church.
Memorials preferred to Esther Warner Scholarship Fund and Brownton Congregational Church.
Obituary
Charles “Chuck” H. Warner was born on December 31, 1924, in Aitkin, Minnesota. He was the son of Charles H. and Esther (Huston) Warner. Chuck was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth in the Aitkin Congregational Church. He received his education in Aitkin, Minnesota and attended Aitkin High School. As a 14-year old sophomore, Chuck was the starting quarterback of the football team and played five seasons. He also played basketball, ran track, was a bass soloist for the choir, and played the trumpet in the band for five years. Chuck was the president of his junior high and high school student council. He was also a bugler for Company B of the Minnesota State Guard. He graduated from Aitkin High School Class in 1941. Chuck furthered his education at Moorhead State Teachers College where he played and lettered four years in football, was a member of the track team, appeared in college plays, sang in the choir, and was the sports editor of the college newspaper and yearbook. He was the chair for the mid-century homecoming and chairman of his fraternity’s 50-year celebration. Chuck graduated college with his Bachelor’s degree, and in 1981 he was named a distinguished alumni of the school.
In 1952, Chuck was united in marriage to Eunice Larson of Lake Park, Minnesota, at Eksjo Lutheran Church in Lake Park, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with five children: Sue Ann, Charles H., Mary, Beth, and Kay. Chuck lived and worked in Aitkin, Park Rapids, Moorhead and after marrying Eunice, they lived in Princeton where Chuck was employed as a Linotype Operator and Sports Editor. In December 1953 they moved to Brownton, Minnesota, where Chuck purchased the Brownton Bulletin. Chuck and Eunice shared 64 years of marriage until Eunice passed away on February 14, 2017.
Chuck was the publisher of the Brownton Bulletin and was among the most quoted editorial writers in the state from 1950-1970. The Bulletin won 114 state and national awards for excellence culminating with being the top weekly in the state by winning the Mills award in 1985. Chuck was also publisher of the Fairfax Standard, Gibbon Gazette, Olivia Times-Journal, and the Stewart Tribune. He was the co-publisher for The Page, N.D. Bulletin, Norwood Times, Winthrop News, Glencoe Enterprise, Cosmos News, Atwater Herold, Wadena Pioneer-Journal, Staples World, Litchfield Independent Review and the Hutchinson Leader. Chuck was one of the founders and long-time president of the Crow River Press. He retired from his editorial position in 2008, but continued writing articles. In 1989, Chuck received the distinguished service to journalism award.
Chuck was a wonderful community member and served on numerous community positions such as 15 years as Justice of the Peace, 11 years as Mayor, and 12 years as councilman for the city of Brownton, vice chair of the school board, organizer and first president of the Brownton Area United Fund. Chuck was first head of the Brownton Area Development Assoc. and Brownton Housing. He also served as a Brownton volunteer firefighter for 34 years and was chairman of the 22-county Emergency Medical group and a member of the state board for EMS and Minnesota Marketplace. Chuck was an avid baseball fan and served 34 years on the Brownton Baseball Association’s board and was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. After being inducted, he served on its executive board and served 6 years as president. He was the general chairman of the 1964, 1971, 1980, 1987, and 1996 state tournaments of Minnesota Baseball Association. In 2011 he was the honorary chair of the event, and he received the Mike Downes Award in 2016. Chuck was named Minnesota State High School Athletic Association’s distinguished Alumni in 2003. Chuck served 29 years on the Mid-Minnesota Regional Development Commission, six as its chairman. He was chairman of the McLeod County Housing and during his time, constructed 100 units of housing in the county. Chuck served as chairman of the Adult Training Center, and during his term paid off the mortgage on their Winsted facility and started their facility in Hutchinson.
Chuck enjoyed singing and was a member of the Litchfield Area Men’s Chorus. Golfing was another preferred activity, and he was a member of the Errol Estates Country Club in Apopka, Florida. Chuck was an avid fisherman throughout his life. He was thrilled to catch his first sturgeon at the age of 92 with two of his grandsons and his son-in-law. Chuck was also a member of the Brownton Congregational Church, Zuhrah Shriners, the Brownton Rod & Gun Club, and the Brownton Lions. Chuck especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.
Chuck passed away peacefully on April 19, 2018, at his daughter’s home in Apopka, Florida, at the age of 93 years. Blessed be his memory.
Chuck is survived by his:
Children: Charles H. Warner and his wife, Karla of Canton, MN,
Mary Kobilka and her husband, Bob of Apopka, FL,
Beth Fleahman and her husband, Brad of Bemidji, MN,
Kay Wilson and her husband, Randy of Glencoe, MN;
9 Grandchildren and 1 Special Grandchild;
4 Great-Grandchildren;
Many other relatives and friends.
Chuck is preceded in death by his: Parents, Charles H. and Esther Warner; Spouse, Eunice Warner; Daughter, Sue Anne Warner; Special Son, Glenn Klitzke; and Sister, Nancy Berry.
Roy and Anita Wagner says
Dearest friends, Charlie, Mary, Beth, Kay, and families,
Our heartfelt sympathy and love to each of you from each of us.
We treasure the many memories we have shared together.
Our thoughts and prayers surround you always.
With our love and friendship,
Roy and Anita Wagner
Mark, Karen, Alexandra, and Amelia Wagner
Mark, Julie, Joshua, Jessica, and Jordan Petersen
steve wendlandt says
Our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Warner. We remember so many good times from the “Brownton era” of our lives. Take care and comfort knowing that he is where God intended us to be!
Steve and Rita Wendlandt
Bob Nelson says
With sincere condolences for the family from our family. Many great memories with Chuck and Eunice and of course with the cousins. He will be truly missed. I will always remember Chuck as a wonderful uncle and a mentor for all of us to follow. He is with Eunice, Patty and my mom and dad and the rest of the family that preceded Chuck. They don’t make many like Chuck!
Bob Nelson and family
Connie Cline Anderson says
To the family, So sad to hear of chuck’s passing. I was able to get to know Eunice and Chuck through my dad. Dad and Chuck were in school together and in baseball and in friends throughout the years. My dad just passed away this year also at the same age. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Connie Anderson (Bill Cline’s daughter)
Dan Woog and Family says
I have known Chuck for nearly 15 years, and what a truly special person and family, and both he and Eunice became more friends than clients. Every time we visited, he had a smile on his face; you could “see” his smile over the phone as well. He was so thoughtful and caring of others, and always concerned about how my dad was dealing with his Parkinsons, he would always ask “How’s your dad (Doug) doing?” I have already, and will, greatly miss Chuck and talking about non-business related topics such as Gopher Hockey, MN Wild Hockey, his families Canadian fishing trips (an honest fisherman) and of course the Twins!
Kriste Lee says
Chuck was a leader of a cadre of wonderfully civic minded friends who were the backbone of Brownton in the post WW II years. He was Mr. Brownton; an endless promotor of our town, our businesses, our resources, our education. He had vision and energy; he was a planner and an organizer. He accomplished so much and won so many awards and yet he was just Chuck. He was kind and generous and interested in others, even a kid like me.
Chuck and “his bride” were friends with my parents, Shine and Grace Spaude; Max and Wilma West; Lyle and Marlys Katzenmeyer; Jerry and Loretta Hoshprung and other fun makers as they came in and out of Brownton. And they did have fun! Chuck and Dad were competitive too. The only time they “let” the “girls” win at bridge was when they were both in the hospital on March 10, 1959, giving birth to girls.
I loved Chuck’s writing; at turns pointed, poignant or humorous. The man could put together a sentence. His editorials were well reasoned and well written and you can’t say it plainer than that. Chuck was a good friend to my family, a loyal friend to my Dad, much loved and will be much missed. Chuck is, truly, the end of an era. A beloved era when Brownton had concerts at the band stand with ice cream from the creamery across the street, Memorial Day poster contests, bonfires at the big football game, and town baseball games in endless summer night stands.
Kristen Lee says
Chuck was a leader of a cadre of wonderfully civic minded friends who were the backbone of Brownton in the post WW II years. He was Mr. Brownton; an endless promotor of our town. He had vision and energy; he was a planner and an organizer. He accomplished so much and won so many awards and yet he was just Chuck. He was kind and generous and sincerely interested in others. Chuck is, truly, the end of an era. A beloved era when Brownton had concerts at the band stand with ice cream from the creamery across the street, Memorial Day poster contests, bonfires at the big football game, and town baseball games in endless summer night stands. Chuck and his “bride” were close family friends, my Dad’s buddy, much loved and will be much missed.