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 the third of three boys. His older brothers were named 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 and majored in Economics.

Following college, Charles enlisted with the United States Marine Corps. and was commissioned as a 2^nd 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. Charles served 13 months in Vietnam. Following his tour 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 gas station. He made a 43-year career of running the Glencoe Oil Co. 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, during their 7-year marriage. Charles raised his daughter and son while running the family oil business.

In 1995, Charles jumped into the area 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 to the Glencoe Cooperative Association, and the gas station property was sold to McLeod County. Throughout the years, Charles served on the board of directors of Glencoe Mills Inc., was active in the Glencoe Chamber as president and director. He was also involved in many other civic affairs in the community.

Charles was a lifelong football fan over the years, particularly a Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Minnesota Vikings supporter. He also enjoyed duck and goose hunting.

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

Charles is survived by his
Son, Richard Shamla, and his wife, Heather, of Clara City, MN;
Son-in-law, Christian Friesen of St. Paul, MN;
Granddaughters, Kennedy and Maddix of Clara City, MN;
Stepson, Donovan Lewis, and his wife, Katrina, of Houston, TX;
Step-Granddaughter, Jessica Lewis of Kingsville, TX;
Brother, Ben Shamla of Bloomington, MN;
Nephew, Nicolas Shamla of Bloomington, MN;
Cousins, Mary Johnson of St. Louis Park, MN, Thomas Shamla of Minneapolis, MN;
Other Relatives and Friends.

Charles is preceded in death by his Daughter, Elizabeth Shamla-Friesen; Father and Mother, Otto and Bonnie Shamla; Brother, John Shamla;
Sister-in-law, Susan Shamla; Niece, Sarah Shamla.