Charles Ernest Lehtola 69 of Howard Lake passed away at the St. Cloud Hospital on December 20, 2017.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church, 5939 Oliver Avenue SW, Cokato, Minnesota
Visitation: Begins at 10 AM, on Thursday at Church
Interment: 2 PM Friday, December 29, 2017 at Lakeview Cemetery, on Windy Lake, in Smoky Hollow Township of Cass County. THIS INTERMENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTILL FURTHER NOTICE
Charles Ernest Lehtola, 69, passed away Wednesday, December 20th, 2017 at the St Cloud Hospital.
Chuck was born to Ernest and Beatrice (Leinonen) Lehtola on February 25th 1948. Chuck was the second of four children. Chuck attended Cokato School for his elementary years and then transferred to Annandale School. Chuck married Sharon Elaine Sieg on January 7th, 1967. Two sons were born to them, Donald Charles in 1967 and Brian Harvey in 1968. The family resided in the Town of Howard Lake until they purchased the Sieg farm south of Cokato in 1994.
Chuck worked at several business in Cokato until he got a job at Mammoth Industries in Chaska in 1970. Mammoth closed their doors in 2000 and Chuck officially retired in 2002.
After retirement Chuck enjoyed many mornings having coffee with the guys at Daniel’s Restaurant and going to auctions. Chuck and Sharon have a place in Remer, MN where they made many good friends and spent many enjoyable summers and deer hunting seasons.
Chuck deeply loved his wife, sons, grandchildren and extended family. At family get-togethers he was quite the talker. Chuck also had a soft spot for animals, many four legged ‘children’ lived in their home over the years. In recent years Chuck found enjoyment in reading his Bible and listening to Country Gospel music. He was so proud of a large print Bible gifted to him by his good friend Ron. He also appreciated the support he received from speaking with his good friend, Pastor George.
Chuck is survived by his wife Sharon and sons Donald and Brian & Jen, his friend; ex-daughter-in-law Melanie; grandchildren: Brianna, Brandon; step-grandchildren: Beau (Stephanie), Cameron (Valarie) and Shea (William); step-great-grandchildren: Saylah, Judson, Eliana, Jadyn, Cesar, Charlie Marie, Bane and Eva; siblings Randy and Jeannie; many nieces, nephews and their families; and many friends in the community.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie & Beatrice, infant sister Yvonne, grandparents Matt & Emma Lehtola and Charles & Elvira Leinonen, father & mother-in-law, Harvey & Ruthie, sister-in-law Susan, and many aunts & uncles.