Charles McNamara

Charles “Chuck” McNamara, age 86, a lifelong resident of the Goodhue, MN area died on Friday evening, March 9, 2018, just a week short of one of his favorite holidays, St. Patrick’s Day.

Charles Daniel was born on April 21, 1931 in Red Wing, MN, the son of Raymond F. and Mary Leona (O’Reilly) McNamara.  He graduated from Goodhue High School in 1949 and married Dorothy Krismer on October 28, 1961 at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Plainview.  Always devoted to his family, Chuck could be counted on to encourage his children and grandchildren in all of their school, sports, 4-H, FFA and community activities.

Chuck was a dedicated dairy and crop farmer in Belle Creek Township and a board member of the Goodhue Elevator Association, Associated Milk Producers (AMPI) and the Goodhue Ag Advisory committee.  He and Dorothy were part of many University of Minnesota dairy tours that traveled nationwide.

Chuck was a lifelong member of St. Columbkill Catholic Church faithfully serving the parish in many ways.  He was a US Army veteran, stationed in Germany in the mid 1950’s.  His time abroad sparked his interest in travel, and he visited Ireland, Alaska, Hawaii and many other destinations in his lifetime.

Charles is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two daughters, Carolyn (Steve) Koziolek of Northfield and Shannon (Lyle) Dicke of Goodhue; four grandchildren, Ann (Joe) Evans, Charlie Dicke, Jay Dicke and Nicole Koziolek; sisters, Agnes Mulhern, Marie Lexvold, Florence Ryan and Rosamond (Ken) Reding; brothers, Francis McNamara, Ralph McNamara and Raymond E. (Marlys) McNamara.  He was preceded in death by his parents; Dorothy’s parents, Joseph and Johanna Krismer; brothers, Cecil (Rita) McNamara and Joseph (Maxine) McNamara; brothers-in-law, Walt Mulhern, LeRoy Lexvold and Joe Ryan; sisters-in-law, Marjorie McNamara and Jeanelle McNamara; and Dorothy’s sisters and their husbands, Ethel (Sylvester) Hofschulte, Loretta (Arnold) Kohn, Anastasia (Ralph) Warthesen and Bernice (Ervin) Wiebusch.

Visitation and Funeral Mass will both be held at St. Columbkill Catholic Church, 36483 County 47 Blvd, rural Goodhue, MN.  Visitation will be on Friday, March 16 from 6-8 pm, with a rosary service at 5:45 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, March 17 at 10 am, with visitation beginning at 9 am.  Interment will follow at the church cemetery.