Charles H. Warner, 93, of Brownton
Charles “Chuck” H. Warner, 93, of Brownton, died Thursday, April 19, 2018, at his daughter’s home in Apopka, Florida.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 12, at the Congregational Church in Brownton with the Rev. Merline Duering officiating. Deanna Meyer will be the organist and Kay Wilson will be the pianist. Congregational hymns will be “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” and “Onward, Christian Soldiers.”
Urn bearers will be Jeff Berry, Chad Fleahman, Andy Kobilka, Chase Fleahman, Tim Wilson and Scott Klitzke. Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Brownton.
Charles “Chuck” H. Warner was born Dec. 31, 1924, in Aitkin, the son of Charles H. and Esther (Huston) Warner. He was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith at the Aitkin Congregational Church. He received his education in Aitkin, graduating from Aitkin High School in 1942. He furthered his education at Moorhead State Teachers College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1951.
In 1952, he was united in marriage to Eunice Larson of Lake Park at Eksjo Lutheran Church in Lake Park. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Sue Ann, Charles H., Mary, Beth and Kay. The couple shared 64 years of marriage before Mrs. Warner’s death on Feb. 14, 2017.
Mr. Warner was a community journalist his entire career. He was the publisher of the Brownton Bulletin, which won 114 state and national awards for excellence, culminating with being named the top weekly newspaper in the state by winning the Mills Award in 1985. He also was publisher of the Fairfax Standard, Gibbon Gazette, Olivia Times-Journal and the Stewart Tribune. He was co-publisher of The Page, North Dakota Bulletin, Norwood Times, Winthrop News, Glencoe Enterprise, Cosmos News, Atwater Herald, Wadena Pioneer-Journal, Staples World, Litchfield Independent Review and the Hutchinson Leader. Mr. Warner was one of the founders and longtime president of Crow River Press. In 1989, he received the distinguished journalism award. He served on the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s Board of Directors for nearly a decade, and as its president in 1981.
He was an active community members and served on numerous community positions, such as 15 years as justice of the peace, 11 years as mayor and 12 years as a councilman for the city of Brownton. He also served as vice chair of the school board, and organizer and first president of the Brownton Area United Fund. He also served as a Brownton volunteer firefighter for 34 years and was chairman of the state board for EMS and Minnesota Marketplace.
Mr. Warner was an avid baseball fan and served 34 years on the Brownton Baseball Association’s board and was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Association Hall of Fame in 1971. He was named Minnesota State High School Athletic Association’s distinguished alumni in 2003. He was chairman of the McLeod County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and during his time, constructed 100 units of housing in the county.
He enjoyed singing and was a member of the Litchfield Area Men’s Chorus. Golfing was another preferred activity, and he was a member of the Errol Estates Country Club in Apopka, Florida. He was an avid fisherman throughout his life, and was thrilled to catch his first sturgeon at the age of 92 with two of his grandsons and his son-in-law. He also was a member of the Brownton Congregational Church, Zuhrah Shriners, the Brownton Rod and Gun Club, and the Brownton Lions Club. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.
He is survived by his children, Charlie (Karla) Warner of Canton, Mary (Bob) Kobilka of Apopka, Florida, Beth (Brad) Fleahman of Bemidji and Kay (Randy) Wilson of Glencoe; nine grandchildren; one special grandchild; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice; daughter, Sue Anne; special son, Glenn Klitzke; and sister, Nancy Berry.
