Charles "Chuck" Gowan

Charles "Chuck" Henry Gowan, age 79 of Oslo, MN passed away peacefully at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks surrounded by his family on September 11, 2010 after a short and courageous battle with cancer.

Chuck was born on September 13, 1930 in rural Oslo. He was the eighth of twelve children born to Roy and Lily (Clausen) Gowan. He graduated from Oslo Public School in 1948. He married Lola Hoff on January 2, 1952 at Elim Lutheran Church in rural Alvarado, MN. Together they had seven children.

He lived and farmed in rural Oslo. In 1952, he started a farming partnership with his brother Roy. The partnership grew from 40 acres to over 5000 acres at the time of his retirement. In addition, they owned and managed a hog operation until 1962. At that time, Charles and Roy formed Gowan Construction. They started the business with one employee and it grew to over 120 employees. After the retirement of Chuck and Roy, the businesses were turned over to their sons, Mark, Ray and Milt. Starting In 1971 until the present, he had been selling Na-Churs fertilizer to many farmers in the area.

He was an active member of his community. He was a board member of the Oslo Elevator and Zion Lutheran Church. He was a member of Oslo Lions, Oslo Rod and Gun Club and a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Chuck and his wife traveled to the Panama Canal, China, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand and eleven cruises. He also enjoyed the five time bi-annual houseboat trip to Morson, Ontario with his wife, children and their spouses. He was an avid sports fan and spent many hours following the sporting activities of his grandchildren.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Lola, rural Oslo, MN; son Mark (Dawn), rural Oslo; daughters Rosie (Gary) Hultberg, East Grand Forks, MN, Carol (Pat) Callahan, rural Manvel, ND, Mary Jo (Paul) Richard, Fargo, ND, Judy (Ed) St. Germain, Argyle, MN and Sue (Dan) Kenner, Littleton, CO. Also surviving him are 22 grandchildren; Keri (Gary) Witherell, Tracy (Jim) Whalen, Ryan (Jen) Callahan, Stacie (Jason) Engel, Sadie (Eric) Ripley, Darin (Nicole) Hultberg, Sarah Hultberg, Kelsey (Eric) Bless, Kristi (Jacob) Hendricks, Jill (Josh) Perkerewicz, Casey Callahan, Jeena (Brennan) Laudal, Derek Gowan, Chad Gowan, Chelsea Gowan, Paige Richard, Jared Gowan, Heather St. Germain, Adam Richard, Austin Kenner, Alexander Kenner, Matthew Kenner and 19 Great-grandchildren, brothers; Robert (Betty), Minot, ND, James (Marge), Mesa, AZ and Gary (Pat); rural Oslo, sisters; Leila (Orville) Farder, Elaine Farder, and Lily Mae Gulas, all of Grand Forks, ND and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Joan Marie Gowan, son-in-law, Jay Sorenson, infant great granddaughter Josie Lola Perkerewicz, brothers, Frank, Willis, Roy and sisters Delores Jamieson and Lois Ronan.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, Oslo MN. Visitation will be one hour before the service.
VISITATION: After 5:00 PM with a Celebration of Life Vigil at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at Zion Lutheran Church, Oslo, MN.
INTERMENT: Elim Lutheran Cemetery, Alvarado, MN.

 Service Information