Charles Ray "Chuck" Turk
January 16, 1933 - January 01, 2025
Obituary
BLACK EARTH - On January 1, 2025, Charles Ray "Chuck" Turk entered into eternal bliss, reuniting with the love of his life, Arlene (Thorson).
Chuck was born on January 16, 1933, in Black Earth, to Floyd and Dedora (Genoschewsky) Turk. He and Arlene were united in marriage on June 18, 1955, and proudly worked together as third-generation farmers on what is now a century-old family farm. They were known for their abundant vegetable garden and shared the fruits of their labor with grateful friends, family, and neighbors alike. Their grandchildren have fond memories of harvesting squash and trimming bucketfuls of green beans.
Chuck was a jack of all trades. His work history runs the gamut from setting bowling pins at Black Earth Lanes as a teenager, to hoisting milk cans weighing over 100 pounds onto the back of a truck, to running a salvage yard (he and Arlene were repurposing and recycling long before it was popular). He earned his calling card, Wood Chuck Wood, after years of bringing trees off the hillside, splitting logs, stacking and delivering (then stacking again!) literal tons of firewood.
Chuck was employed by the Village of Shorewood Hills for over 30 years, serving in numerous roles including Maintenance Mechanic, Assistant Fire Chief, Water Works Operator, Landfill Custodian, and Chief of Pool Operations. He was known by every resident and was willing to help with any need that arose, even driving a 1960s-era American LaFrance fire truck (open cab with a V6 Continental engine, as the story goes!) from New York to Shorewood Hills with Fire Chief Chris Bertelsen. Although he was too humble to say so publicly, Chuck saved Chief Bertelsen’s life by pulling him out of a burning house through a small basement window.
Chuck enjoyed playing euchre, fishing, snowmobiling, and taking semi-annual road trips to Las Vegas. He loved cheering for the Packers, birdwatching, listening to polka music, and creating and refurbishing wood furniture pieces in his workshop. Anything he made was built to last forever.
Chuck had an unwavering devotion to his family, and his legacy lives on through his daughters, Anna (Jim) Kraft and Carla (Jeff) Sailing; grandchildren, Kyle Tensfeldt, Shannon (Andy Cameron) Cole-Cameron, Chad Cole, Jenna Radl, and McKenzie (Sawyer Brandt) Radl; and great-grandchildren, Wallace and Caroline Cameron. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene; daughter, June Tensfeldt; parents, Floyd and Dedora; sister, Margaret Padrutt; and son-in-law, Brian Brudos.
At Chuck’s request, there will be a private family service.
Chuck’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to staff at Northwest Dane Senior Services (NWDSS), SSM Health Hospice House - Baraboo, and Heartland Country Village, for all the kind and compassionate care they provided.
Memorials in Chuck’s honor may be sent to NWDSS, 1837 Bourbon Road, Cross Plains, WI 53528 or SSM Health Hospice House at 915 12th Street, Baraboo, WI 53913.
Online condolences may be made to www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Black Earth
Funeral & Cremation Care
1710 Center St.
(608) 767-3684