Charles Clarence Habing

Charles Clarence Habing was born on June 18, 1934 to Fredrick and Amelia (Laux) Habing in Altamont, Illinois. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War on the USS Wasp from 1952- 1956 and then graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1963 where he earned his degree in mechanical engineering. He went on to work in quality assurance at Sundstrand (now Danfoss) in Rockford, Illinois; LaSalle, Illinois and Ames, Iowa. He retired from Sauer Sundstrand after nearly 30 years.

Chuck met Nancy Louise Grise from Kankakee, IL on a blind date that his sister Jean had set up. Ten months later on May 15, 1965 they were married, celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary this year. Chuck and Nancy have two daughters, Michale (Scott) Hansen and Margaret (Bruce) Martin.

Even after retirement Chuck remained active and worked at Ace Hardware. He enjoyed working the election polls, was a graduate of the Ames Citizen’s Policy Academy, and was thrilled to be a part of the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2009.

He was strong in his faith and was highly involved at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church where he was a member for almost 50 years. He enjoyed counting offering money on Monday mornings, helping with Lenten fish suppers, and serving on the parish council. He was active in the Knights of Columbus as a fourth degree knight. He also had the opportunity to see Pope John Paul II in October of 1979 at Living History Farms which he considered a highlight in his life.

In his spare time he truly enjoyed working in the yard and tinkering in his garage; visiting with his neighbors, being challenged by a good Sudoku and Word Find puzzle; playing Euchre, Pinochle, rummy (which he never lost at!) and, most recently, Kings in the Corner with his daughter Michale.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Michale (Scott) Hansen, of Ames and grandsons Nathan (Emily) Hansen of Van Meter, IA and Ian Hansen of West Des Moines, IA. Daughter Margaret (Bruce) Martin of West Branch, IA and grandsons Ben and Will Martin of Iowa City, IA. Brother Ronnie (Vera) Habing of Wilmington, IL, his sister Jean (Richard) Skelly of Kankakee, IL, his brother Tom (Sherry) Habing of Rockford, IL., his sister-in-law Pam Habing of Milford, IL., brother-in-law Richard Grise from Kankakee, IL, sister-in-law Mary Grise from Bradley, IL., sister-in-law Theresa Kyrouac of Bradley, IL and brother-in-law Jim Grise of Kankakee, IL. in addition to many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fredrick and Amelia Habing, brother Pat Habing, sister-in-law Maureen Habing, sister-in-law Tina Grise, brother-in-laws David Grise and Roger Grise, and three nieces Sheila Habing, Lisa Grise and Colleen Habing.

A mass of Christian burial for family and friends will be held at 2p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2020, at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church in Ames. The service will also be livestreamed on Stevens Memorial Chapel Facebook page. A grave site gathering at Ames Municipal Cemetery will follow immediately after the mass at 3:30p.m. There will not be any visitation. Guests will be required to wear masks and social distance as per the CDC guidelines for everyone’s safety.