Charles M. Houtkooper

Charles Morton Houtkooper, age 97, of Edina, MN, formerly of Fargo, ND, passed away on November 27, 2017.

He was preceded in death by parents Jacob and Almeda (Morton) Houtkooper, wife Ellanora (Melby); brothers Richard, Peter, Mark and sister Emir Armstrong, son Major Jon Houtkooper and grandson Adam Brown.

He is survived by daughters Mary Brown (Charles), Emir Moritz (Jerry), Jane Barcelow (Kris), 13 grandchildren and 21 greatgrandchildren.

Charles was born in rural Ransom county, ND.  He grew up in the Englevale area and graduated from Verona High School in 1938.  Six weeks before joining the Navy he met the love of his life at a 4^th of July dance at the Sons of Norway Hall in Manfred, ND.  They corresponded for nearly four years and were married in Washington, DC on January 22, 1944. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946, he worked in several bakeries.  They settled in Fargo in 1950 and eventually bought Quality Bakery.  Charles retired in 1982.  He remained active in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, The Optimist’s Club, golfing, gardening and volunteering for Hospice of the Red River Valley.  He was lovingly cared for by the staff of Walker Methodist Care Suites and Allina Hospice.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 4, 2017, at 4 PM with a visitation one hour before in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.

Memorials to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Red River Valley.