Charles "Wowzer" Wadena, age 76, of Waubun MN, died on Thursday, December 31, 2015, at his home surrounded by family and under Hospice Care of the Red River Valley.

Charles Edward, the son of Ivan Antell and Julia (Wadenah), was born March 28, 1939, in White Earth, MN. He was proudly given the Indian name, Nazhekawegabow, meaning "Stands Alone". Charles grew up near Naytahwaush, MN, and attended Northrup Emerson Elementary. He attended high school in Mahnomen and as a young man; Charles entered the United States Army. While serving, he was trained as a Medic and X-Ray Technician. Following an honorable discharge in 1962, he returned to the Naytahwaush area. In 1977, he received his BS degree in teaching from BSU and taught at Circle of Life School for 22 years. Charles was united in marriage to Lynda Roy in 1995. The couple made their home east of Waubun where they raised their family. After retiring from the school, Wowzer worked security for White Earth Police Department for 8½ years, only to resign recently due to his health issues.

Over the years, Charles enjoyed hunting, golfing and he played baseball and softball for 60 years. He was an intelligent man who liked to visit and was well known for his storyteller capabilities. He loved spending time with all his family and was especially proud of his daughters, Kassy and AmiJo. He will be greatly missed by all who had a chance to know him. Charles was a life member of the Am Vets and a proud member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe-White Earth Reservation Mississippi Band.

Wowzer is survived by his wife, Lynda, and daughters, Kassandra and AmiJo, and the family dog, Coco, all of Waubun; sisters Judy (Jerry) Rawley, Patleen (Jeff) Straub, both of Waubun, Dianne Kier of Mahnomen, Darla Kier and Carrie Kier, also of Waubun; step-brothers: John (Vicki) Benson, Vernon Benson and Jim Benson, all formerly of Naytahwaush and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by all of Lynda's family.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Charli Lynn, his parents, Julia and Wilfred Kier and Ivan and Lois Antell; brothers: LeRoy, Danny, Marvin "Monk", Willie Kier and Myles Olson; and sisters, Donna Boucha and Elaine Kier, brothers-in-law: Tim and Jeff Roy and Doug Doerfler.

Funeral services were at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at the Sports Complex in Naytahwaush, MN. Visitation was at 5:00 pm on Monday, January 4, 2016 with a ceremony at 7:00 pm at the Sports Complex and continues until the service on Tuesday. Interment was at Kier Family Cemetery, rural Waubun, MN.