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     Charles “Chuck” Richard Ingerson, 91, of Aberdeen, passed away Monday, October 17, 2016, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.

     His memorial service, with Masonic Rites conducted by Aberdeen Lodge #38, will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 22, 2016, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1410 North Kline St, Aberdeen, with Fr. Richard Zephier officiating.

     No visitation will take place prior to the service.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name are preferred to the Yelduz Shrine Transportation Fund.

     Charles “Chuck” Richard Ingerson was born October 12, 1925, to Bruce and Madge (Christian) Ingerson at Browns Valley, MN.  Chuck lived for a short time with his Uncle Otto and Aunt Belle Wegyand.  He attended grade school in Browns Valley and junior high in Huron, SD, before graduating from Aberdeen Central High School in 1943.

     At the urging of Coach Milo Jackson, Chuck joined the United States Navy to become a pilot.  While in the Navy, he attended Dickenson (North Dakota) Teachers College and the University of Iowa.  With an abundant supply of Navy pilots, he turned his attention to the Submarine Service and served as an Ensign in the North Atlantic.  After being honorably discharged in 1945, Chuck attended the University of Minnesota, where he majored in Accounting and Engineering.  He then worked on the farm owned by his aunt and uncle and raised Registered Horned Herefords.

     In 1948, Chuck met Arvilla Kemnitz of Sisseton, SD.  They were married on December 4, 1949.  Deciding farming wasn’t for him, (“work too hard and pay wasn’t good”), they moved to Aberdeen in 1950.  He began employment with McLaughlin Electric doing counter work and stocking shelves.  Chuck then transferred and started working for Mr. Paul Green at Hub City Iron where he was employed as an accountant and later as a salesman.  After Mr. Green sold Hub City to Safeguard, Chuck became the C.E.O.  In the fall of 1972, a portion of Safeguard burned and was relocated to the Industrial Park, where it is today.  He remained C.E.O. until his retirement in 1993.

     Chuck’s love of farming and livestock returned when he purchased the Louie Miller farm at Richmond Lake where he raised Registered Polled Herefords and Black Angus with his wife and son, Clif, until 1999.

     Chuck was honored to serve the city of Aberdeen by being a founding board member of the Aberdeen Boys & Girls Club; a board member and Board Chairman of St. Luke’s Hospital; Chairman of the Aberdeen Development Corporation; and a board member of Norwest Bank.  Chuck also served the state of South Dakota after being appointed by Governor William Janklow to the first board of the State Game & Fish Foundation and also served on the State Mineral Board and on the board of the South Dakota Hereford Association. In addition, Chuck was an active member of Elks Lodge #1046 in Aberdeen, Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post #24 of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Lodge #38 of the Masons, the Scottish Rite, York Rite, and had been a Shriner since 1958.  Chuck loved God and was a faithful member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the Vestry.

     Chuck enjoyed pheasant hunting and fishing for salmon on Lake Michigan.  His dream of becoming a pilot finally came true after meeting his good friend, Jim Caven.  Chuck loved taking his family on “Sunday drives” and vacations in his prized Beachcraft Bonanza.  In his later years, he would enjoy sitting on his deck watching the boats, wildlife, and sunsets on the lake.  He was an avid University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and St. Louis Cardinals fan.  Chuck also enjoyed checking the stock market on a daily basis.  

     Grateful for being a part of Chuck’s life are his wife of 66 years, Arvilla Ingerson; children:  Jeffrey (Janet) Ingerson, Clifton Ingerson, and Barbara Ingerson; grandchildren:  Sarah Ingerson, Captain Matthew (Captain Renee) Ingerson, Ronna (Christopher) Schrenk, Christina Kusler, and Anne (Tyler) Weig; great-grandsons:  Lucas Michael Ingerson, Braeden Fischer Schrenk, and Camden Charles Weig; his brother, Rodney Ingerson; his sister, Elizabeth Woods; sisters-in-law:  Eleanor Ingerson, and Luella Eggers; several nieces and nephews; and special family members:  Steve Engel, Marylou Engel, Craig Engel, and Christy (Jason) Stark and their sons, Hunter and Logan.

     Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Robert and Roger; and his brother-in-law, Jeff Woods.