Charles W. Skooglun

BLACK EARTH/LODI - Charles “Chuck” Skooglun, age 102, passed on to heaven on November 12, 2020, due to complications from COVID. Chuck was born at home in St. Paul Minnesota in 1918 during World War I. He was the baby of the family and had two older sisters. Chuck’s reputation as a hard worker was established early by selling magazines at the age of nine. After school he would cover his route, selling Good Housekeeping, Harper’s, and Boys’ Life. Each magazine cost a nickel; two cents went to Chuck and three cents to the publisher. The depression was on and while his dad was a good provider, Chuck’s pennies were occasionally needed to help his family get by. At 16, Chuck worked for a florist. He made floral bouquets and arrangements for all types of celebrations. But there was one thing his boss would not let him do: pin corsages on the ladies. (He might stick them with a pin!) After high school graduation Chuck enlisted in the Army as WWII was beginning. He became a supply staff sergeant for the Signal Corps. Chuck was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii; he loved the army and considered making it a career, but life had other plans for Chuck. Once the war was over, Chuck went home to Minneapolis but felt restless. He stopped at an employment agency and was hired as a salesman on the road for Coca-Cola. He serviced all the University of Wisconsin buildings in Madison, La Crosse, and Platteville, along with Madison and Milwaukee businesses. Eventually, Coca-Cola had Chuck traveling seven states on the West Coast. This was a big job. Coca-Cola was a very good company to work for and going to work in a suit coat and tie did not bother Chuck at all. One day while at work at Rennebohm’s on the Capitol Square, Chuck met his future wife, Arlyne. For five years of their marriage they ran a restaurant for Hoffman House in Nashville, and then returned to the Madison area to help care for their aging parents. A beautiful new mobile home at Crystal Lake in Lodi became home for Chuck, Arlene, and their boxer, Ace. Chuck and Arlyne spent 48 happy years together, 35 of them on the shores of Crystal Lake. Never one to sit idle, in his later years Chuck took a job at Koltes Hardware in Lodi cutting glass for windows and repairing doors and screens. He worked there for 22 years, retiring at age 96. Chuck is a well-respected man who has worn many hats in life. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW, a 32nd Mason, and a Zor Shriner. He belonged to the Cherokee Country Club and the Ham Radio Club in Portage (call #WA9TOZ). Chuck is survived by his good friend and companion, Julina Wallace, Mary Dodd, Dave Hogg, Sandy Hahn, Paul Kemnitzer and Judy Terasa. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Arlyne; his mother, Jennie (Sandberg) and his father, Charles Skooglan; two sisters, Evelyn and Jessie Skooglun; infant brother, Beltram; and Mike Kemnitzer. Due to COVID restrictions, private services with military honors were held at Sunset Memory Gardens in Madison, Wis. To send online condolences please visit www.gundersonfh.com Chuck would like to extend a special thank you to the health professionals at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, Dr. David Krey and all the staff at Heartland Country Village for their care and kindness to Chuck. Thank you also for all the prayers offered by family and friends during this difficult time. Gunderson Black Earth Funeral & Cremation Care 1710 Center Street (608) 767-3684