Charles Krahler, 78, Fessenden, passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, March 29, 2012, after a brief, courageous battle with cancer.
Charles Reuben Krahler, son of Reuben and Clara (Sundet) Krahler, was born May 31, 1933, at Hamberg, on the family farm. He attended school in Hamberg until his family moved to a farm southwest of Emrick. Charles, also known as Chuck or Charlie, attended grade school in Emrick. Later, his family purchased a farm southeast of Fessenden. Charles attended high school in Fessenden where he was very active in athletics and participated in several sports, including football and basketball. Later in his life he played baseball, softball, bowling and bocce ball with his family. He graduated from Fessenden High School in 1951. Charles attended North Dakota State University in Fargo and played football until he was needed to help on the farm.
Charles met his lifelong sweetheart, Margie Nielsen, while in high school. They were married Nov. 10, 1953, in Fessenden. Charles and Margie were blessed with seven children: Karen, Curtis, Kelly, Timothy, Kim, Lanae and Dawn.
He farmed into the 1990s and also was a rural mail carrier until 2004.
Charles had a passion for sports, either playing, officiating, or as a spectator. He was well known in the area for officiating football and basketball. He played softball until age 68 and bowled until about one month prior to his death. A highlight of Chuck's sports career was being named to the North Dakota Softball Hall of Fame in 1991. He truly was a Hall of Famer to his friends and family. Charles was awarded the Outstanding Official by the National Federation Interscholastic Officials Association in 1988. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play sports.
He was preceded in death by one son, Kim; his parents, Reuben and Clara (Sundet) Krahler; and his brothers and sisters, Tilman, Jesse, Raymond, Bernice and Mavis.
Survivors include: his children, Karen (Ron) Heidt, of Dickinson, Curt (Betty) Krahler, of Fessenden, Kelly (LeeAnn) Krahler, of Fessenden, Tim (Joan) Krahler, of Fort Yates, Lanae (Warren) Strand, of Fessenden, Tim Rogelstad and Dawn (Scott) Sackman, of Bismarck; 19 grandchildren, Jeremy and Jonathan Heidt, Justin Krahler, Bobbie Jo (Ryan) Larson, Jaime Krahler and fiancee, Jacob Younker, Amanda (Joey) Allmaras, Danielle and Bryan Krahler, Natasha (Dustin) Volochenko, Jacenta Wipf, Laurie Running Hawk, Alexandra (Kyle) Hennix, Benjamin and Caleb Rogelstad, Mitchell, Michelle, Lucas, BreAnne and Andrew Sackman; 12 great-grandchildren, Leah, Lani and Drew Volochenko, Taryn Krahler, Rihanna and Amyah Wipf, Grady and Jaiden Larson, Kylen, Zavier, Kruz and Kodi Running Hawk.
The family will distribute memorials to area charities that were important to Charles.
Charlie will be missed by his family and friends. Heaven just gained another softball player and ump from Fessenden. What a team Fessenden already has there.
Funeral: Today, Saturday, March 31, at 2 p.m., in First Lutheran Church in Fessenden.
Burial: Hillside Cemetery in Fessenden.
Visitation: One hour before the service at the church on Saturday.
Arrangements are with Nelson Funeral Home, of Fessenden.