Charles Askegaard

Lt. Colonel Charles J. Askegaard, age 93, Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away on September 27, 2009 at the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes. He had been a resident of Detroit Lakes, MN for over 48 years.

The Funeral Service for Charles Askegaard will be 11:00 AM Thursday, October 1, 2009 at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes with Reverend David Peterson officiating. Interment will be in riverside Cemetery in Fargo, ND. Visitation will be 5 – 7:00 PM Wednesday, September 30, 2009 with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Charles John Askegaard was born May 20, 1916 in Minot, ND to Dan and Emma (Campdin) Askegaard. He grew up in Fargo, ND and obtained a chemistry degree at North Dakota State University. He was in ROTC and when the United States was drawn into World War II, he served in the U. S. Army. He was a member of the 99 ^th Infantry Battalion, which was a special unit comprised of Norwegian-speaking soldiers who would be able to blend into the various Norwegian areas and conduct unconventional and strategic warfare operations against the Nazis. The unit’s arrival to Norway was delayed in part due to being called upon to play a critical role in the Normandy invasion. His unit helped liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp.

After the war ended, Charles returned to Fargo, where he met an adventurous Norwegian girl, Grete Lostegaard, who had come to America to visit relatives. They married on March 19, 1949, and began raising a family. Soon thereafter, Charles was called upon to serve his country again, this time in the Korean War, from 1951 to 1953.

Charles and Grete then returned to Fargo, and Charles returned to NDSU and obtained a degree in pharmaceutical sciences. He was the president of his class.

In 1961, Charles and Grete moved their family to Detroit Lakes, MN. He owned and operated Askegaard Drug for 14 years. He later worked for White Drug, and then managed the pharmacy at the Detroit Lakes Clinic until he retired in 1978. In the meantime, he remained in the U.S. Army Reserves, until he finally retired from the military in 1975 after 39 years of service.

Charles was a leader in the Detroit Lakes community both during his working career and after his retirement. He was a member of Shriners International; a founding member of the Elk’s Lodge; active in the American Legion; a member of the Barber Shop Chorus; active member of the 412 Lakes Classic Car Club; served as president of the council at First Lutheran Church. He was perhaps best known for regularly visiting the area nursing homes and delighting the residents by preparing and serving to them, a hot Norwegian pudding called “rommegrot”. Charles continued these activities and involvements even as he heroically cared for his wife, Grete, who began suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease beginning in the early 1980’s and who died December 20, 1993. In the midst of all of this, he was recognized as “Becker County Citizen Of  The Year” in 1990. Charles lit up the lives of all people around him. He was a loving man with a strong faith. He was a devoted husband and father.

In 1996, Charles was blessed to have another soul mate come into his life – Juanita Carlisle, who is a lifelong resident of Detroit Lakes. They were married November 22, 1997. Thus, Charles’ family was joyfully extended to include Juanita and her daughters Bonnie Carlisle, Faye Carlisle and Kitty (Dr. Robert) McClelland and their families. Charles and Nita enjoyed 13 years together and, thanks to her steadfast love and support he was able to continue to live a very full life.

Charles is survived by his wife, Juanita and her daughters; his daughters: Elizabeth (Mike) Brouse and Vicki (Richard) Lickteig, his sons: Paul (Nancy) Askegaard and Erik (Joan) Askegaard all together they have sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great- grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews in Norway. In addition to his first wife, Grete, he was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Emma Askegaard; brothers, Harold and Chester.