Charles “Chuck” Virgil Sevelin, “Snakebite,” 82, of Silver Bay, formerly of Hovland, died Thursday, November 7, 2013 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay.
He was born, raised, and attended schools in Des Moines, Iowa until age 15, when he his family moved to White Bear Lake, where they lived close to relatives. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy Reserves (the Kiddie Cruise) spending 10 years, with one year of active duty in Korea.
Chuck started working at 3M Company at age 18, where he worked his way up to division scientist in traffic control materials. He worked in foreign countries as well as many facilities in the U.S., receiving awards for outstanding developments, mainly reflective. Chuck retired after 40 years but was called back to start a factory in Italy, where he was able to take his wife Marian “Snooks” with him. His final retirement was in 1991.
Charles enjoyed hunting, fishing, cribbage, challenges, puzzles, and whatever projects came his way. He was a member of St. Ann’s in Deming, N.M., the NRA, American Legion, Prospectors of America, and the Moose. Chuck and Snooks enjoyed “snow-birding” in the Southwest in winters, with summers in Minnesota at Chester Lake. They enjoyed many happy outings with friends and family whenever and wherever they happened to be.
Chuck loved life to the very fullest. He suffered a stroke after heart surgery. He recovered in hospitals in New Mexico for one year, and was then able to get back to Minnesota where he has been happier and more comfortable for the last three years.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Beulah (Hayes) Sevelin; son Steve; and sister-in-law Lou.
He is survived by the love of his life for 30 years, Marian; daughters Jackie (Dan) Matuska of Pine City, Linda Ferrer of St. Paul, and Deborah (Marty Gross) Grant of White Bear Lake; sons Mark Sevelin and Todd (Connie) Sevelin of Balsam Lake, Wis.; stepchildren Charles Hess of Big Lake, MN, David (Anne) Hess of Grand Portage, Linda (Rusty) Nicolaison of Grand Marais, and Jan (Tracy) Deater of Bellaire, Mich; 26 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; brother, Jack (Pat) Sevelin; and many more loving relatives.
Memorial service was held Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay. To sign the online guestbook please go to www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
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