Charles James Vind, joined our father in heaven on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, at the Riverview Hospital, Crookston, MN, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Chuck was born on October 15, 1929, to Hans and Katie (Baughman) Vind in Jackson, MN. In the early 1940's he moved with his family to Crookston, MN. Chuck attended high school at the Northwest School of Agriculture where he was a goalie on the school hockey team. Chuck also played football and his senior year served as co-captain on an undefeated team. During high school Chuck worked with his father as meat cutter and in Plentwood, Montana on a Ranch.
On March 17, 1951, Chuck was united in marriage to Merna Berg at Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor, MN. In that same year Chuck was drafted into the United States Army, where he served as a medic in Japan during the Korean Conflict. Following his term in the U.S. Army he joined the National Guard and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1974.
In 1959 Chuck moved his family to Salinas, CA, working at Streater Store Fixtures until 1970 when he moved to Fertile, MN. In Fertile, Chuck purchased the Fertile Meat Locker where he worked alongside his wife and children. In 1984 Chuck sold the business and took a job as a custodian with Fair Meadow Nursing Home. Chuck spent the remainder of his working career teasing and entertaining nurses and residents with his one of a kind sense of humor.
Chuck was recognized as Citizen of the Year in 1982, in 2007 Chuck and Merna were awarded Crookston's Experienced American award, in 2008 Chuck was honored with an Outstanding Alumni Award from the Northwest School of Agriculture.
While civil service was a source of great honor and pride for Chuck, his greatest sense of pride rested squarely on his family. Chuck and Merna were blessed with 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Chuck is survived by his wife, Merna, Fertile MN; his children: Chuck (Deb), Hayward, WI; Linda (Ron) Hanson, Fertile, MN; Jean (Mario) LaPlante, Crookston, MN; Mark (Lisa) , Menomonie, WI; Bruce (Laura), Lonsdale, MN; 13 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Lessard, and one brother, Gordon (Pat) both of Crookston MN; and several nieces and nephews and close friends Barry Robertson and Jerry Friest. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Roger and Tom; and sisters: Henrietta Hill, Charlotte Stinar and Verna Faye Johnson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2013, at 11 am in the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Visitation will be on Friday, July 26, 2013, from 5-7 PM with a prayer services at 7 PM in the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Burial will be at a later date.
Erikson-Vik Funeral Home
Fertile, MN
www.eriksonvikfh.com