Charles Crane, 75

Charles Nelson Crane, 75, Alexandria, died March 30, 2010 at St. Cloud Hospital.

Charles was born August 6, 1934 in Edmunds County, South Dakota to Orville and Erma (Nelson) Crane. He grew up on a farm in South Dakota and attended country school. Chuck graduated from Cresbard High School in 1952. After graduation he did some farm and ranch work and was a packer “mule skinner” for the U.S. Forest Service in western Montana.

Charles served his country in the Air Force. He was stationed in England for three years as an aircraft and weapons mechanic. In 1959, Charles married Mary Cluff in England. To this union, four children were born, David, Paul, Susan and Sharon.

After his honorable discharge, Chuck became a farm manager in South Dakota, then received a bachelor of science degree in medical technology from Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD. He worked as a med tech in Michigan, Kansas and Montana.

Chuck married Geraldine (Plagman) Brink on August 12, 1974 in Aberdeen. The couple enjoyed their log home on Lake Cowdry for 20 years before moving into town in 2001.

Charles pursued his master’s degree in medical microbiology at Montana State University. He continued doing med tech work in South Dakota and Minnesota. Charles spent three years as a sales representative before becoming a tech writer for Douglas Machine for 12 years. Chuck opened the Vikingland Bookstore in 1996, which he owned and operated for six years.

He was a longtime member of Town and Country Toastmasters and received many awards for humor. His favorite volunteer job was to operate the scoreboard at Knute Nelson Field for the high school varsity, VFW and Legion baseball games.

During retirement, Chuck enjoyed gardening in the summer and selling books online. He also would “supervise” Gerre’s quilting projects. The couple enjoyed car trips to Montana, Washington and Oregon.

He is survived by his wife, Gerre; sons, David of Hunter, ND, Paul (Tina) of Kennewick, WA; daughter, Susan Witzmann of Grant, MI; stepsons, James (Darla) Brink of Carlos, Shane Brink of Tucson, AZ; stepdaughters, Gayle (Patrick) Golden of Missoula, MT, Mary (Joe) Molloy of Monticello, Jean (Kevin) Bouma of Fargo, ND, Susan Pearson of Elk River; six grandchildren, eight stepgrandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Ronald (Ella) of Cheyenne, WY, Gary (Dorothy) of Brush, CO, Stanley (Beanie) of DeSoto, MO, Allan (Doris) of Wheaton; sister, Carol (Chet) Hagel of Newport, OR; and brother-in-law, Gerald Geditz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sharon; and sister, Beth.

Memorial service were held April 6 at Anderson Funeral Home. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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