Charles L. Gangestad

Charles Gangestad, 90, of Clarion, passed away Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at his home in Clarion.

Funeral services for Charles Gangestad will be held on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Holmes Lutheran Church, 2139 Hancock Avenue, rural Clarion with Pastor Ron Wik officiating. Burial will be at Holmes Lutheran Cemetery south of Holmes.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Charles Leroy Gangestad was born October 27, 1930 in rural Eagle Grove to Clarence and Tena (Johnson) Gangestad. Charles grew up on a farm south of Holmes and attended country school (Dayton #3), having the same teacher for all 8 grades. He went to high school in Eagle Grove for 2 years and Clarion for 2 years, graduating from Clarion High School in 1948.

Following graduation, he farmed with his father until he was drafted into the Army in 1951. After serving in Korea, he returned to the farm. He married Joan Bjerkestrand at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Radcliffe on August 17, 1956. They raised three sons, Tom, Jim, and Nick, on their farm southwest of Clarion. In 1998 he partially retired and they moved to Clarion. He fully retired in 2003, but continued to help his sons, Tom and Jim, on the farm until 2018.

Charles was an active member of Holmes Evangelical Lutheran Church and served in nearly every office. Farming, faith, and family were his life. He and Joan traveled much, visiting all 50 states, Norway, England, Mexico, and Canada. Each winter after retirement they spent some time in a warm state, often with siblings. He loved numbers and spent many hours solving Sudoku puzzles. He enjoyed working with wood and constructed many pieces for their home.

Charles is survived by his wife Joan; sons Thomas (Jana), James, and Nicholas (Ingrid); grandchildren Anna (Edgar) Beltran, Brendan Farris, Johna (Brian) Bromley, Joseph (Kaylyn) Gangestad, Elise Gangestad, Greta (fiancé Adam Herzog) Gangestad, Max (Alaina) Gangestad, Jack Gangestad; great-grandchildren Carson, Kaylynn, Macey, Aubrey, Riley, Bentley, Ryder, Layton, Bergen, Ashton, and Aurora; sisters Thelma (Darwin) Bang and Marilyn (Darrell) Bang; sisters-in-law Ella Gangestad, Naomi Bagley, Lorna Hoverstein, and Linda (Noel) Singer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Norman Gangestad (infant), Evelyn Lehman and John Gangestad; brothers-in-law Phil Lehman, Robert Bagley and Steve Minear; and sister-in-law Sylvia Minear.

Memorial suggestions are Holmes Evangelical Lutheran Church or Holmes Lutheran Cemetery Association, and sent to the family’s attention, c/o Ewing Funeral Home, P.O. Box 363, Clarion, Iowa, 50525.