Charles J. Futterer, 88, Grand Marais, died peacefully Friday, February 25, 2011 at his winter residence in Russellville, Arkansas.
Charles J. was born June 23, 1922 to Charles A. and Kathryn (Donnelly) Futterer in Muskegon, Michigan. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois, graduating from Parker High School in 1940. Chuck attended Woodrow Wilson Junior College before enlisting in the Army Air Corp where he was a radar specialist and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant while serving with the 340th Bombardment Unit in the North Africa- Italy Campaign during WWII. While in Italy he had the opportunity to meet Pope Pius XII.
Upon his return, he attended the Illinois Institute of Technology and continued his collegiate basketball career as a 6’ 2” guard.
In Chicago he met Geraldine L. Lind on a blind date and they were married almost 63 years ago on July 6, 1948 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grand Marais.
In 1956 after living in Chicago and Houston, Texas they picked up their family and moved to Grand Marais to take over Lind Chevrolet Co. Inc. until selling the business in 1982.
Chuck held the contract for mail delivery between Silver Bay and Grand Marais for about 20 years and also worked with his wife at Lake Superior Collectibles for 30+ years.
Since 1982 the couple spent winters in Gold Canyon, Arizona and recently Russellville, Arkansas.
Chuck was a founding member and first president of the Cook County Curling Club. He was an excellent curler and instilled the love of the game in his children. He was a member and officer of the Lions Club for many years and helped resurrect the modern Fisherman’s Picnic. While serving as a Justice of the Peace and six-term president of the United Fund, he also found time to help organize county baseball including the Cook County Little League and devoted 10 years as president and coach. Golf always challenged him and he continued to play in senior league and almost every day during the summer with his golf buddies the “Dew Boys.” Chuck has about a dozen hole-in-one trophies testifying to his golfing skill and perseverance.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents and sister Bernice Nebel. He is survived by his wife Geraldine of Grand Marais; sister Charlotte Costello of Winamac, Indiana; daughter Karen (Mike Swindlehurst) Futterer of Grand Marais; sons Charles (Susan) of Grand Marais, Bruce (Sherrye) of Russellville, Arkansas and Craig (Terri Simard) of Minneapolis. Chuck and Gerri have 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren with one more due any day.
A celebration of Chuck’s life is being planned for Grand Marais this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Cook County Historical Society or towards an improvement at the Gunflint Hills Golf Course.
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