Charles E. Sagedahl

Charles Elwood Sagedahl, affectionately known as “Chuck”, age 93, of Brooten, passed peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooten.  Visitation will be from 5-7 pm. Friday at the church and for one hour prior to the service.  Burial with military honors will be in the church cemetery in Brooten. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church and Concordia College. Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Belgrade.      Funeral live stream will be available at  https://www.facebook.com/trinitybrooten         

Charles Elwood Sagedahl was born October 10, 1930, at the family farm just outside of Brooten, the eldest of 8 children born to Cornell and Opal Sagedahl. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church.

A 1948 graduate of Brooten High School, Chuck was an amazing student-athlete.  He excelled in football, basketball, track, and baseball during all four years as a Buccaneer.

Chuck was also a proud member of the “Brooten Octettes” and was known to reminisce about his time singing with the group.

After high school, Chuck attended Concordia College for two years where he played football and baseball for the Cobbers until enlisting in the United States Marine Corp where he served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in July of 1954, and returned to Concordia College where he completed his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education and History. His career in education brought him to many schools where he filled roles including Physical Education Teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director.

 During the late 1950s, Chuck served as Director at the YMCA in Oakland, CA, where he had the opportunity to train athletes of the Oakland Raiders.  He was a member of the Minnesota State High School League for several years. He was inducted into the BBE Hall of Fame in 2021.

Chuck was loved by his students, athletes and staff and was awarded Coach of the Year in 1985, and Teacher of the Year in 1995. Upon his retirement from Menahga School Chuck said, “The greatest satisfaction in my career is when alumni come back and I find out how well they are doing in life.  If you can help one student, it’s all worth it”.

In his early years as an educator, Chuck and family would stay busy during the summer months buying and renovating homes, which led to many moves for the family throughout the years.

He was also a great sales-man and worked several years at Montgomery Ward where he met his wife of nearly 48 years, Karen. The couple married June 14,1976, in Watertown, SD.  The family made their home in Menahga where Chuck and Karen stayed busy during the early years of their marriage raising 8 children.  Chuck and Karen were very involved at the First English Lutheran Church where Chuck loved singing in the choir.  They also were very involved with the Menahga Dollars For Scholars Organization.

Chuck always had a great fondness for music.  His siblings, children and great grandchildren have great memories of Chuck playing the guitar and singing.

The pancake breakfasts that Chuck served after church on Sunday were legendary. Many were blessed to enjoy these gatherings.  Cribbage, solitaire and other games were a fun past-time for Chuck.

Following his retirement from education, Chuck stayed busy as the Menahga “handy-man” and joked that he had painted every house in town.

Chuck and Karen always enjoyed the lake; fishing, pontooning and Chuck often practiced his “loon call”.  He enjoyed wood-working and made many bird houses and wreaths that he kindly gifted to family and friends.

Chuck was proud of his Norwegian Heritage.  He will be remembered for his authentic Norwegian sweaters and his lefse making skills.  Chuck and Karen hosted a Norwegian exchange student in 1989 and traveled to Norway in 1992. 

Chuck was an active member of the Menahga VFW Post #6206 where he maintained a life-time membership.  He was a member of the Menahga American Legion Post #448 eventually transferring his membership to the Brooten American Legion Post #288.

On July 4, 2002, Chuck and Karen moved from Menahga, to Brooten, into Chuck’s family home, which he helped build.  During his retired years, Chuck enjoyed being close to his siblings.  They gathered often where Chuck and Bobby entertained the others playing guitars and singing.

Chuck will be remembered by his Brooten family and friends for the frequent front porch visits where when asked how he was doing, he always replied, “not bad for a Norwegian”.  He will be dearly missed.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Kenneth, Larry, sister-in-law, Bea, brother-in-law, Edwin Eskelson; daughter-in-law, Lita Sagedahl; nephew, Tim Eskelson; and niece, Lesley Sagedahl.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Karen; children: Steve (Judy), Scott (Lori), Sheldon, Kristi (Mark) Andrew, Karl Jon (Catie), Kari Seijo, Kristine (Scott) Bjorke and Tom (Cindy) Knigge; 20 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; siblings: Roger, Eileen Eskelson, Sherwood (Carol), Bobby (Yvonne) and Suzanne Sagedahl and Glorianne Whitmore; sister-in-law, Marlene Sagedahl; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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