Charles H. Stewart

Charles H. Stewart died peacefully at his home in Grafton ND on May 28, 2017 at the age of 97.

Charles is survived by his children, Terry Burns, Charles D. Stewart, Aprill Hastings, Rock Stewart, Amy Jo Paukert, and Reed Stewart; his sister Jean Larson, and brothers Robert and James Stewart, and seventeen grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Ora Marie (Sprouse) Stewart and brother, John “Jack” Stewart.

Charles was born on Feb. 12, 1920 in Drayton, ND to Herbert A. and Sigre (Carlson) Stewart. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1941. He later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts from Ellendale Normal School and continued his education by earning a Master’s Degree from the University of North Dakota in 1970. He married Ora Marie Sprouse, his college sweetheart in June of 1946.

After moving to Mott, ND, Charles began his first teaching job teaching math, science, and coaching basketball. He later moved his family and his teaching skills to the Grafton School system where he was an award-winning Industrial Arts teacher from 1950-1975. He joined the US postal service in 1977 and retired from that in 1990.   The couple welcomed six children into their home and Charles set about teaching them perseverance, personal responsibility, and his children remember him as a devoted and determined father who encouraged them to pursue their goals and work for excellence.

Charles was accomplished at anything requiring active thinking and doing. His mechanical skills led him to restore many old cars and trucks. His architectural, plumbing, wiring, and carpentry skills led him to build the family home in Grafton, the home for his mother-in-law, and the Oak Arbor Mobile Home park. He was a dedicated individual who loved teaching, who was passionate about learning, and who continued his own education and enhanced the education of others. He was an active and dedicated member of the Walsh County Historical Society 1967-2014, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Toastmasters, Kiwanis president 1998-1999, Retired Teachers president 2001-2002, Grafton City Council 1983-1993, and often volunteered at the Minto Museum, Heritage Village, Meals on Wheels, and was a local weather reporter for Too-Tall Tom Semanksi for a time.

A funeral is scheduled for 11:00 Wednesday, May 31 at Tollefson Funeral Home, Grafton with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Charles’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Altru’s Hospice Program of Grand Forks. Condolences can be sent to www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank Hospice for their care.