Charles Vetter
Charles Emil Vetter passed into eternity at his home, surrounded by his family, Wednesday, December 15, 2021, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. The Funeral Service
The Funeral Service for Chuck, age 72 of Elgin was at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at the Assembly of God Church in Elgin. Pastor Vern Finck officiated with burial in the Assembly of God Cemetery at Elgin.
Following the graveside service, at time of fellowship and a luncheon will be held at the Elgin Community Center.
The Funeral Service will be livestreamed on the website www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com and can be viewed by going to Chuck’s obituary and “view funeral service here”.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, December 21, from 3:00 to the time of the family service at 6:30 p.m. at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.
Charles was born September 19, 1949, at Elgin Lorenzen Memorial Hospital to Emil and Ella (Rieger) Vetter. The oldest of four boys, he was raised on the family farm 12 miles northwest of Elgin, ND and attended grade school at the Will country school. Charles then attended Elgin Public High School, graduating in 1967.
Upon graduation, he attended NDSU for one year and then transferred to Western Tech in Denver, CO, graduating with a degree in auto mechanics in the fall of 1969. Charles, known to his friends as Charlie or Chuck, then moved back to the farm to help his father. In the fall of 1969, he married his high school sweetheart, Colleen Eslinger. Three children were born throughout the years; Janine in 1972, Suzanne in 1976 and Justin in 1981. He instilled in them a love of agriculture, God’s creation, and a work ethic of caring for what God has entrusted to them. He enjoyed sharing the country ways with his city-born nephews and nieces whenever he could.
In 1972, Charles put his mechanic training to use by working for Lippert’s Repair in Elgin. He started driving school bus during this time, which became a part of his life over the next 48 years. In 1973, he began working for Dittus Inc., assembling and repairing farm equipment. He enjoyed this line of work, especially meeting and helping area farmers trouble shoot their equipment.
In the spring of 1981, Charles decided to branch out on his own and start ranching, raising cattle and breeding Quarter horses, which was his ultimate dream. By this time, he and his family were living on a farm eight miles north of Elgin, where he and Colleen raised their family. Like any rancher, he enjoyed and found satisfaction in every aspect of agricultural life, especially caring for and providing for his livestock. In 2004, Charles obtained his real estate license to assist his wife in a growing business.
Over the years he enjoyed serving his church in several capacities. He was actively involved in his children’s education by attending and serving on the school board for many years. He also served on the Leipzig Township board. He made many lifelong friends over the years and will be missed by many. His sense of humor stayed with him to his final hours.
He is survived by his wife Colleen of 52 years, daughters Janine Vetter of Missoula, MT and Suzanne (Jason) Smith of Deer Lodge, MT, son Justin (Brandi) Vetter, Elgin, ND; four grandchildren, Matteson, Jordan and Wyatt Smith, all of Deer Lodge, MT, and Breanne Fugate, Elgin, ND; three brothers, Loren (Naeko) Vetter, New Hope, MN, Glen (Karen) Vetter, New Hope, MN, and Bill (Shelly) Vetter, Big Lake, MN. He is also survived by step-mother Janice Vetter, Elgin, ND, brother-in-law, Ray (Donna) Eslinger of Granite Falls, WA, sister-in-law Elaine Mutschelknaus, Elgin, ND, nephews and nieces Billy (Rachel) Vetter, Angie (Ben) Emmrich, Lisa (Shawn) Stroebl, Daniel (Andrea) Vetter, Eric Vetter, Jessica, Nikki and Emily Vetter, all of the Minneapolis, MN area, Bruce (Donna) Mutschelknaus, New Leipzig, ND, Wanda (Myles) Stoller, Elgin, ND, Monte Mutschelknaus, Lignite, ND, Sandra Arndt, Mandan, ND, Mary Wysocki, Granite Falls, WA, Mike (Debbie) Eslinger, Puyallup, WA, and many great nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Ella Vetter, parental in-laws, John and Tillie Eslinger, sister-in-law, Lucille Eslinger, brother-in-law, Clarence Mutschelknaus, nephew Russell Mutschelknaus and niece Robin Willoughby.
Cards can be mailed to Colleen Vetter, 6765 62 nd St SW, Elgin, ND 58639. Condolences may be
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com