Charles "Chuck" A. Cederberg

Charles Arnold Cederberg, 93, of Hawley, MN died Tuesday, September 5, 2023, in the loving care of St. Catherine South, Fargo, ND and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Charles “Chuck” was born March 24,1930, to Ingeborg and Victor Cederberg and grew up on the family farm north of Hawley. After graduating High School in 1947, he worked as an apprentice electrician in the area. In the fall of 1948, Chuck went to work at Northwest Steel & Wire in Sterling, IL making chicken wire but later that year went back to electrician work.

Chuck was drafted into the Army in October of 1951 and volunteered for the Marines and was based in San Diego. He served in Korea during the war as Crew Chief and electrician. Chuck married Dorothy Berland on May 27, 1952, in Atlanta Lutheran Church in Lake Park, MN. He was transferred to Honolulu and Dorothy moved there to base housing with him. He later transferred back to San Diego and then after some time, returned to Hawley.

In the summer of 1956, Chuck dug the basement for their “house on the hill” and tore down the farmhouse to use the lumber for it. He started “Chuck’s Electric” in 1957 out of their garage and in 1962 through 1963 built the shop. 

Chuck was very active as a leader in building different businesses and projects in Hawley. He served his community with strong faith, hard work, honesty, and involvement with Hawley Lutheran Church, both on committees and on the church board. He loved working the Rodeo when it was in town.

Chuck enjoyed his family and friends at home and at family cabins in the summer. A good game of cards or dice and square dancing with Dorothy also made him smile. He also loved to hunt and fish, here and in Canada.

Chuck is survived by his 3 children, Julie Wade, Ross and Curt (Julie); daughter-in-law, Annette Cederberg; sisters-in-law, Darlene Bloom of Omaha NE, Patricia Zurn of Detroit Lakes, MN, Rita Olson of Scottsdale, AZ, and Mavis Lavin of Prescott, AZ; special family friend, Ethel McDougall and her family; 6 grandchildren, Heather (Jimi), Jesse, Haley, Cody (Jill), Emily and Trevor; 2 great-grandsons, Hunter and Nolan; 2 step grandchildren, Shannon (Scott) and Robert (Angela); 10 step great-grandchildren; 1 step great-great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; son, Danny; daughter, Debbie in infancy; his parents, Victor and Ingaborg; brother, Vernon; sister, Ethel; sister, Helen in infancy; and brother, Harold in infancy.

Per Chuck’s wishes, his body has been donated to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 1-4 PM At Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.