Charles Albert (Chuck, Charlie) Tice, 85, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019 at North Shore Health Hospital in Grand Marais.
Charles was born on the family farm near Clarion, Iowa on Feb. 24, 1934 to Jay and Wava (Colby) Tice. He graduated from Clarion High School in 1952, and attended Iowa State University and The University of Iowa. He spent two years serving in the U.S. Army.
After the service, Charlie returned to Grand Marais, where he spent summers with his family during his teenage years (including work at C.O. Backlund & Sons). In 1958, he went to work at Erie Mining Company, becoming an electrician and later general supervisor of railroad and harbor at LTV Steel. After retirement, Charlie worked for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for 11 summers, while spending winters in Mesa, Arizona.
On Oct. 4, 1958, Charlie married Ruth Ann Eliasen of Grand Marais. They had four children. Charlie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, faithful friend to many, born tour guide, and avid Cubs and Vikings fan. He loved meeting new people, daily coffee at the Blue Water round table, and evening treats with the Sven and Ole’s gang.
His joy was helping people and the challenge of fixing just about anything. He loved helping his nephew in Iowa with the harvest, gardening, taking people flying in his plane (friends and complete strangers alike), ATV-ing in Cook County and Arizona, serving friends his homemade malts or “kickapoo joy juice,” photographing landscapes and historic sites, and telling jokes and stories.
Charlie was an active member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Cook County ATV Club, and was a longtime volunteer with community fireworks.
Charlie is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Ruth; his children Cindy (Dan) Bankson, Susan (Bernie) Finco and Jay Tice; grandchildren Leah (Natanael), Sarah (Sahr), Erin, Jason (Krissy) and Brandon; and great-grandchildren Lena, Aylen, Agnes, Enoch, Kylie and Weston.
He was preceded in death by his son Mark and siblings Jay Jr., Ruth, Don and Howard.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the beginning of the service.
Memorials preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Cook County ATV Club.
Leave a Reply