Charles J. Gander (Chuck), 92, passed away quietly in his sleep April 5th at his home in Mesa, AZ, where he has spent the winter months for over 20 years. Chuck was a long time resident of Hudson, Wisconsin where he and his wife Jean raised their six children.
Chuck was born on March 19, 1918 and grew up on a large wheat farm in Fergus Falls, Minnesota where he learned many skills related to farming including running and fixing machinery, caring for animals, growing and harvesting crops, as well as developing exceptional skills in fishing and hunting. After graduation from Washington High School in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, he left the farm and took a job in St. Paul, Minnesota where he met Jean Williamson of North Hudson, Wisconsin.
They were married on December 14, 1941 and lived in California until Chuck was drafted into the army. He was sent to Europe where he served in General Patton’s 3rd Army, 4th Armored Division until VE Day. He earned the Silver Star for exceptional valor while risking his life to save a fellow soldier. After the War, Chuck returned to Hudson, Wisconsin, where he took a job with the State of Wisconsin Petroleum Inspection office and was later promoted to District Supervisor with responsibility for the laboratories in Hudson and Chippewa Falls.
Throughout his life, Chuck enjoyed fixing cars, small engines, and other mechanical devices as well as fishing the St. Croix River and duck hunting. He enjoyed helping friends, relatives and neighbors with many household and mechanical problems they might have. He liked to help people learn and was quick to let others use his tools or show them how to do something at which he was particularly skilled. Those who knew him well will attest to his almost uncanny memory for details, dates, names, and places. Chuck’s beloved wife, Jean died in 1983 after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. After retiring in 1984, Chuck moved to Mesa, Arizona where he lived for over 20 years, spending most summers back in Minnesota and Wisconsin with his daughter, Mary. When his eyesight forced him to quit driving, he lived with his oldest son Charles and wife Connie during the winters in Arizona.
He is survived by his six children, Charles W. Gander (Connie) of Spicer, MN; Robert J. Gander of Mesa, AZ; Mary J. Gander of La Crosse, WI; John L. Gander (Karen) of Woodman, WI; Edmund J. Gander of Willmar, MN; and Richard W. Gander (Karolyn) of San Francisco, CA; ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and his sister Eleanor Prather of Bend, OR. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Jean (Williamson) Gander, his parents John and Anne Gander, an older sister Mary Lea (Gander) Kasunich, a younger brother, Edmund, and his grandson, Kenneth Gander.
After a visitation in Mesa, AZ on Wednesday, April 7 from 1 to 3pm, the family has arranged a visitation in Hudson, Wisconsin, at the O’Connell Funeral Home, after which there will be an interment at Willow River Cemetery in Hudson. He will be honored as a decorated WWII veteran. The family requests that memorials or donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the Hospice Care facility of the Hudson Hospital & Clinics in the names of Charles and Jean Gander.
Celebrating 75 years of serving our community