Charles "Chuck" Stein

Charles “Chuck” E. Stein, age 79, of Villard, died on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, surrounded by his family at home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, December 22, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood. Full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and the Glenwood American Legion Post #187. Private family interment will be held at Lake Amelia Cemetery, Villard.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church.

Charles “Chuck” Edward Stein was born on November 30, 1946, to Joseph and Alice (Fougeron) Stein in Graceville and remained a lifelong resident of Minnesota. Chuck was a Navy veteran who did two tours in Vietnam and served aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Bon Homme Richard CV-CVA-31. Chuck was married to Marcia Ruhl on December 3, 1976. They were together until Marcia lost her battle with cancer on June 22, 1990. Chuck later married Claudia Scarborough on April 22, 1994.

Chuck spent 38 years with Canadian Pacific Railroad and retired in December of 2006, as a traveling mechanic. His community involvement included serving as a volunteer firefighter in Villard and being a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the VFW. According to Chuck, his greatest life lessons were the importance of hard work, putting others first, and his deep love and devotion to his family.

Chuck was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio and later made St. Bartholomew in Villard his home church. He loved his annual fly-in fishing trips to Manitoba, Canada at Sasa-ginni-gak with friends. He also camped at Thor’s in Villard and Havasu Landing in California. Chuck loved traveling out west, a tradition he enjoyed for 14 years, and he also went on several cruises. Chuck spent many years hunting with his buddies at the cabin in Cushing, MN. He was known for making the BEST cookies and spent many summers tending his garden. He was always whistling and enjoyed bird watching, especially the hummingbirds. Chuck loved helping on the family farm in Chokio and devoted much of his time to caring for his mother during her illness. He enjoyed watching all his grandkids in their various sports and fishing on the lake with them.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marica; and brothers, George “Butchie”, infant brother, and Richard.

Chuck is survived by his wife Claudia; daughters, Samantha (Adam) Gustafson and Corinne Pearson; son, Michael (Kara) Pearson; son-in-law Felipe Velazquez; grandchildren, Ailee (Alex) Velazquez Shockley, Brennen and Bryler Gustafson, Jordan (Stacey) Kliewer, Dani (Jesse) Thompson, and Devon, Dylan, and Cheyanne Pearson; nine great grandchildren; brother, Mike (Lolly) Stein; sisters, Gin (Ken) Rupp and Bobbie (Rick) Rost; and numerous nieces and nephews.