Charles "Chuck" Rada

Chuck died peacefully on March 10, 2018 ending a long and blessed life that had begun on June 4, 1920. He was born in Beulah and grew up on the butte-studded plains of New England, North Dakota. His childhood was an endless source of stories about roaming the buttes, hunting the elusive jack rabbit, swimming in the Cannonball River, participating in what must have been every activity his tiny high school offered, and enduring the dust storms that pummeled the area during the Depression. He played pool for the house at the Golden West pool hall that his stepfather ran, and although he never bragged about it he became—and remained throughout his life—an exceptional player.

From New England, Chuck went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. Earning that degree was important, but far more importantly it was at Concordia where he met his very special someone: Della Alvera Kringler, from Buffalo, North Dakota.

After graduation, Chuck and Della parted for a time while Della taught in Fosston, Minnesota and Chuck started a graduate degree at the University of Wisconsin. Then World War II interrupted their lives as happened to so many others. Chuck went into the Army Air Force. His service was the source of yet more stories. Although he was near the front lines of the air war in the Pacific, you might have thought he actually missed the war from all his tales of bodysurfing, eating coconuts, and getting the best tan of his lifetime.

Chuck was honorably discharged and returned home to marry Della in 1946. He resumed college studies at Iowa State University graduating with a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. Two job offers came his way, one from 3M in Saint Paul, and then a better offer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Although Chuck had accepted the 3M offer, he could have rescinded it in favor of the better offer. But that was not Chuck. He honored his commitment and spent his entire professional career as a Chemical Engineer with 3M.

Chuck and Della bought a small home in Oakdale where they raised their three children. They were active in many civic organizations and were early members of Grace Lutheran Church; a congregation they loved and served in many ways throughout the years. After retirement, Chuck remained active helping his children with projects, visiting family and friends, and assisting at the church until limited mobility forced him to cut back. In recent years, health issues meant that he and Della had to leave their home and move to assisted living at the Wellington Care Center.

After 68 years of marriage, Chuck lost Della in 2014. Since then he has been well cared for by the staff at the Wellington and, more recently, the Interim Health Care hospice team. The family would like to especially thank Jane, Robin, Felicia and Mary for their loving attention.

Chuck had an abiding faith that was vital to him and sustained him in recent years. He was always social and remained good-natured, and kept his sense of humor to the end. He will be remembered for his wit and jokes. He will be sorely missed.

Chuck was preceded in death by his Wife, Della; his Son, Jim; Sister, Lucille; and Brother, Hank. He is survived by his Daughter, Rojean (Tom Darling); Son, Richard; Grandson, Sam (Amelia); Daughters-In-Law, Karen Jensen and Lesley Cummings; his Sister, Agnes Sims; and many Nieces and Nephews.

A Memorial Service celebrating Chuck’s life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1730 Old Hudson Rd, St. Paul, on Saturday, March 24 at 11:00 with visitation starting at 10:00 preceding the service. The interment will be private at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.