Charlie Peper, 69

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Charles “Charlie” Russell Peper, age 69 of rural Balsam Lake died at St. Croix Regional Medical Center on July 28, 2008.

He was born at his family’s home in Wanderoos, Wis. to Russell and Charlotte (Haug) Peper on March 24, 1939. As a youth, he loved playing sports, which included basketball, football and baseball. He worked on the family farm until he graduated from Amery High School in 1957. He then attended UW-River Falls from 1957-1958. Following his time in River Falls, he relocated to St. Paul, Minn. where he held various jobs including driving delivery trucks for Taystee Bread Co. In 1962 he returned to farming in the Wanderoos area.

On Oct. 6, 1962 he was united in marriage to Charlotte Maypark at Zion Lutheran Church in East Farmington, Wis., and in January of 1965 Brian Charles was born. In April of the following year they moved to the Fox Creek area in Georgetown Township. Three more children joined the family -- Kimberly Jo in 1967, Bradley John in 1970 and Bruce Gary in 1971.

Charlie was truly an outdoorsman; hunting and fishing were his favorite. He shared this passion graciously with friends and family. Good old country music and a polka also made him smile. Most of all he loved driving tractor and working the soil. Even after he sold the milking herd in 1996, he continued to plant and harvest crops. As he farmed, he was also a seed corn dealer for various companies and a Vigortone Ag Products dealer. In the last several years, the Indianhead Chorus became a big part of Charlie’s life. He was fortunate enough to sing with them at seven churches and the Polk County Fair the day before he passed.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; children Brian (Denise Schroeder) Peper, Kimberly (Stephen) Hill, Bradley Peper, and Bruce (Julie) Peper; grandchildren Angela, Tiffany, Skyler, Lance, Mackenzie, and Mikayla Peper, Matthew and Amanda Hill; sisters Berdean Shinnan, Marlene (Norm) Bohn, and Debbie Monzel; brother Gary (Mardelle) Peper; sister-in-law Lois Peper; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Funeral Services were held Friday, Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. from Trinity Lutheran Church in McKinley Township with Pastor Neal Weltzin officiating. Music was provided by Sherry Doornink and the Indianhead Chorus. Casketbearers were Ronnie Rixmann, Lance Peper, Nathan Rixmann, Joey Peper, David Peper, Mark Peper and Craig Peper. Honorary casketbearers were Greg Stokes, Fred Norlund, Pat Murphy, Chad Sells, Matthew Hill, Marvin Johnson, Tom Hallberg, Chuck Polfus, Ronelle Rixmann, Andrew Rixmann, Jerry Tyler, John Alme, Dan Waalen and Marlyn Bottolfson. Interment followed at the Georgetown Lutheran Church Cemetery.

The Williamson-White Funeral Home, Amery, was entrusted with arrangements.

Tags: obituary, charlie, peper