Charles D. Olsgaard

Lt. Colonel Charles Olsgaard, Retired

Charles “Chuck” Olsgaard, 87, a resident of Farmstead Memory Care passed away October 12, 2018 with his wife and daughter present, he was under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley and the caring staff of Farmstead Care in Moorhead, MN.

Chuck was born May 7, 1931 on the family farm near Rustad, MN, to Jens and Esther (Gustafson) Olsgaard.  He married Mary Kimm June 22, 1953 in Wolverton, MN.

Chuck attended Concordia College for two years prior to enlisting in the Army in 1953.  He felt honored to be selected for Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  In 1954 he was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant.  His military career took him to 15 installations.  During his time of service, he attended Thai Language School and completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Omaha.  After a 20-year career in the military he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel to Moorhead.

Chuck and Mary moved to Wahpeton, ND where they owned and operated a fabric and sewing machine business.  Returning to Moorhead in 1994, he joined the staff at the Dilworth Walmart as a greeter but after 18 years he was no longer able to work due to the progression of Parkinson’s.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary; daughter Elise (Roger) Erickson; grandchildren, Joseph Lorentz, Katy Lorentz, David (Danielle) Erickson, Cara (Alex) Myers and ten great-grandchildren. Other survivors include brothers Otto and Richard (Rose) Olsgaard and sisters Ida Flaaten and Hazel (Jerry) Iwen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Elizabeth Olsgaard; four sisters and eight brothers.

Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 AM followed by the memorial service at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead.  Inurnment will be in the columbarium at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Moorhead.