Charles Eugene Obendorf

Charles Eugene Obendorf (88) of Chicago, Illinois, passed into glory in the early morning hours of October 7, 2023. Charles courageously battled kidney disease and always kept a positive spirit. Family surrounded him at the time of his passing.

Charles, fondly known as Chuck, was born in Notus, Idaho, on February 6, 1935, to Phillip and Edna Mae Obendorf.

Growing up in Notus, Idaho, Chuck enjoyed sports, academics, church, reading, and music. In High School, Chuck was a multi-sport athlete. Chuck recalls this High School claim to fame. Chuck scored the winning touchdown in a heated football rivalry and walked on clouds for a week until the next game. Chuck attended Notus Baptist Church, where he played piano solos, sang in the choir, and attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. This period of Chuck's life is when he begins his journey of faith.

Chuck graduated from Notus High School in 1953 as Valedictorian and then attended Westmont Bible College for two years of study. He then transferred to the University of Idaho to complete his accounting degree. Upon graduation in 1957, Chuck was drafted into the Army.

After completing his Army duties in 1960, Chuck moved to Anchorage, Alaska, to open a CPA firm for Olson & Stulz. Later this same year he returned to Caldwell, Idaho, where he would marry Betty Louise Coon. After a European honeymoon, Chuck returned to Alaska with his new bride, and they purchased their first home. In 1963, Chuck and Betty adopted Alaska native brother and sister, Dean and Roberta. In 1965 the Obendorf family moved to Jos, Nigeria, where Chuck began a four-year missionary work with Sudan Interior Missions (SIM).

The family returned to Anchorage, Alaska, in December 1969, with one additional family member, Timothy James Obendorf, born in Africa in 1966. Heidi Jeanette Obendorf was born in 1970. Steven Charles Obendorf was born in 1972. Chuck joined Mukluk Freight Lines and later helped to form Bigler, Kohler, and Obendorf, a CPA firm. In 1979 the Obendorf family moved to Soldotna, Alaska, with the three younger siblings. Chuck would open his own CPA firm that is still thriving. Chuck fully retired in 2013, but he always had time to do books for different mission works.

Upon retirement, Chuck and Betty moved to Chicago, Illinois, to be close to family and grandchildren. Chuck enjoyed a lifelong passion for playing the piano, reading novels, Church, choir, and family activities. Chuck was always encouraging and supportive to his five children in all their endeavors, and without question, loved his role as Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather. Chuck always provided for his family and others.

Chuck is remembered for his undaunting faith, his wonderful smile, his contagious laugh and always being a prankster.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents Phillip and Edna Mae, his beloved wife of 59 years Betty Louise, and older brother Don. He is survived by his older sister Elaine of

Caldwell, Idaho, five children, Dean, spouse Karen, Boise Idaho, Roberta, San Diego, California, Tim, spouse Becky, Heidi, spouse Martin, Chicago, Illinois and Steven, spouse Gary, Toronto, Canada, along with four grandchildren, Katie, Amy, Zola, and Brianna, and great-grandchild, Jase.

There will be no memorial services as the family plans to meet and celebrate the remarkable life of Charles Eugene Obendorf. Instead of flowers, please consider donating to the wonderful mission work of Chuck’s home church, Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Ebenezer Lutheran Church choir visited Chuck several times in his last days to uplift his spirits with song and fellowship. https://www.ebenezerchurch.org/donate