Foley, Minnesota
After 85 years of jubilant life, Charles “Chuck/Charlie” Andrew Stark, Jr. passed away at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany May 3, 2024, after his mind and body succumbed to the demands of earthly life.
Chuck was born May 27, 1938, in St. Cloud to Charles and Nora (Secord) Stark. The fourth of five kids, he was raised on a farm and spent his youth horseback riding and dancing at local halls. He graduated from Sauk Rapids High School in 1956 and enlisted in the United States Army, serving from 1957-65.
On Sept. 2, 1961, he married his neighbor and best friend Janet “Jean” Neeser at St. Augustine’s Parish. Together they raised seven children on a farm in rural Sauk Rapids. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and project planner. He began working as a journeyman at Brutger Construction. He then started Stark Brothers Construction in the mid-70s with his brother, Lewis, and together they built and remodeled many houses in the St. Cloud area. He went on to work for Bauerly Brothers Construction for almost 30 years, serving as a foreman and leader for many road construction crews.
His interests included road trips in the family’s many vans across the state and country; hunting woods and ditches for new and unique branches for his homemade canes; woodworking; fishing and swimming in the Elk River; biking; raising sheep, horses, and chickens; and “putzing” around the farm.
Charlie was a volunteer for Benton County 4-H and the Benton County Fair Board, Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers, Knights of Columbus, St. Patrick’s Parish, ElderNet, Cathedral High School, Together Encountering Christ, and Residents Encounter Christ at the St. Cloud Reformatory.
He instilled in his kids and grandkids a lifelong appreciation for resourcefulness, humor and nature. He will be remembered most for his work ethic, woodworking, wit, and epic nine-bids in rousing games of 500.
Visitation with prayer service was May 8 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids. Mass was May 9 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Visitation also took place one hour prior to the service and a reception followed. The Rev. Michael Wolfbauer officiated and burial will take place at a later date.
He is survived by his children Dan (Kelly Haws) Stark, Sandra (Dan) Meer, Carla (Eric Curtin) Parrish, Wayne (Julie Bresnahan-Stark) Stark, Joel (Colleen) Stark-Haws, Anita (Brad) Hollenhorst and Maria (Jon) Daniel; 17 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Doris Morris and sister-in-law, Janet Stark. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean; parents; brothers, Richard and Lewis; sister, Shirley Feddema; brothers-in-law, Jack Morris and Gene Feddema; and son-in-law, Dave Parrish.
In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in his honor. Memorials would be preferred to Benton County 4-H Extension Office.
Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www.williamsdingmann.com.
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