Charles "Chuck" Thomas Hartung Obit

Charles (Chuck) Thomas Hartung, 79, passed away peacefully on Nov. 16, 2023, at the Mayo Clinic in Pheonix, AZ, surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Crosby on March 3, 1944, to Willis and Helen (Wassen) Hartung. He was a 1962 graduate of Crosby Ironton High School. In June of 1962 he received a letter asking him to join the Army. Basic training at Fort Leonard Wood “was such a treat.”  If you ever asked him how long he served he would respond, “5 years, 5 months and 28 days.”  He was stationed in Anchorage, AK, for two years and then returned state side. He re-enlisted for three years and was stationed in Germany. After his honorable discharge with the United States Army (Seargent E-5), he joined the National Guard and served for another three years. During this time, he worked for Scorpion until the plant closed as well as served on the Crosby Fire Department. In addition to his Army service, he joined the Ironton Legion Post #443 in 1968 and was proud to serve as Commander from 1981-1983. In 1984 he transferred his membership to the Sauk Rapids Legion Post 254. He had a love for both the Honor Guard and Legion Post where he was Commander for the Honor Guard three times. He was wrecked into the 40/8—Voiture 778 in Brainerd at MN Dakota in 1981. In 1984 he transferred from Voiture 778 to Voiture 415 in Sauk Rapids. He held numerous positions on a local level prior to working his way up to Grand Chef de Gare along with holding Nationale Office from 2008-2016. Although his love for the Army, National Guard, Legion and Voiture was enormous it was no comparison to the love of his life and soulmate, Arlette. He married his wife, Arlette, on June 7, 1986. They later resided in the St. Cloud area where he was employed with Fingerhut, Stearns County, Creative Memories and Auto Value. In 2015 Chuck and Arlette retired to Merrifield and purchased a seasonal camper at Lake Edward’s Resort where they have made lifelong friendships. In 2017 they purchased a winter home in Mesa AZ at Mesa Village and again have made lasting friendships. He spent numerous hours volunteering with any organization that had as much love for our country as he did. He was a simple man with a huge heart. He had the knack of knowing someone anywhere he went. He loved sitting around a campfire with Coors Light or Windsor Coke in hand telling stories with friends about the past and future. He loved listening to country music, dancing, gambling at the casino, hanging out with his stepchildren and grandchildren, but most of all being with the love of his life, Arlette. Chuck will be remembered for “the best hugs ever!”   He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Helen and Willis Hartung and brother Jack Hartung. He is survived by his wife, Arlette, stepson and wife Bill and Megan Adams, stepdaughter and husband Patty and Ray Blom, his brother and sister-in-law Roger and Diane Hartung and eight grandchildren: Trenton (Taylor Pilger) and Jared Blom, Olivia, William, Abigail, Jack, Brian, and Connor Adams. A celebration of life will be held on May 11 at the Ironton American Legion starting at 1 p.m. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls on May 13 at 1 p.m. Guests may wear red, white, and blue in his honor.