Charles "Charlie" A. Vogel

Charles "Charlie" A. Vogel, age 77, of St. Peter, MN passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

A Celebration of his life will be held at The Red Men Club in St. Peter, on April 2, 2023, from 1 - 4 p.m., with a short Red Men Service at 2 p.m.

He was born in Mankato, MN on April 9, 1945 to Ernest and Lucille Vogel, the fifth of eight children. 

Charlie lived on the same farm his entire life. He took it over in 1974 after purchasing it from his parents. He farmed this land until his retirement in 2014. Charlie was proud that in 2006 his farm became a Sesquicentennial Farm after being in the Vogel name for 150 years.

He married his wife, Kathy on April 24, 1976 at South Blue Earth Church in Bricelyn, MN. It was the first time the church had both a pastor and a priest performing the ceremony. They met on a blind date less than five months prior. From that day forward they rarely spent a day apart. Together they raised their three children, Cindy, Bryan, and Ann. 

Charlie served on the Oshawa Township Board for over 30 years, including snowplowing, mowing, helping with the construction of and managing the township hall and managing signage.  When he needed a break from all his hard work, he enjoyed being a member of The Red Men Club for many years.

Charlie was a man of few words, but a kind man. He never hesitated to help a family member, friend, or neighbor and never expected anything in return. He had a hard time sitting still so when the fields didn’t need him, he kept himself busy with other things. He was always ready to tackle a project head on and never delayed getting started. This meant Kathy sometimes came home from work to a few surprises, including old buildings on the farm being torn down.

He loved watching nature and had a true appreciation of the outdoors, whether it was being able to spot a deer a mile away while driving, making sure the bird feeders were full or moving a wagon into the yard to plant full of flowers. In his 20s, he made trips to Yellowstone on a snowmobile and he took the trip of a lifetime to Alaska in 2013 and spoke of this trip fondly to anyone willing to listen. 

When he had time on his hands, he enjoyed old TV shows, doing puzzles, looking through sale fliers and if there was a good sale going on, he'd be on the way to the store.  On the other hand, he had no patience for ties, sports or being late.

Charlie will be remembered by his wife, Kathy; children Cindy (Paul) Krueger of Farmington, MN, Bryan Vogel of St. Peter, MN, and Ann (Lance) Severin of Nicollet, MN; three grandchildren that brought out the softy in him, Lily, Nathan, and Sara Krueger; siblings Margaret (Ray) Griep, Don Vogel, Barb (Bill) Heyn, and Marleen Peacock; sister-in-law Deb (Richard) Bergsather; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and even great-great nieces and nephews; and many friends and neighbors.

He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Sara; parents Ernest and Lucille; brother, Robert (Ila) Vogel; sisters Elvera (Barney) Wendelschafer and Evelyn (Milton) Braun and brother-in-law Bill Peacock.

They say it takes a village and the family would like to extend a special thanks to Charlie and Kathy’s village for everything that you have done for so long and continue to do.