Charles E. Crossfield

Charles Earl Crossfield, born October 30, 1938 in Park Rapids, Minnesota to Irma (Miller) and Herman Crossfield. He passed away on March 20, 2025 after a battle with cancer. Those that knew him in his early years, knew him as Charles or Charlie, but most knew him as Chuck. When he was 3 his father passed away and his mother moved her 3 preschool children to live with family in Lewiston, MN. He was confirmed at St Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1956. He joined the Naval reserve in 1955 and following high school went into active duty. He served on the USS Gearing until honorably discharged from service in 1958. Following the Navy, he went into food service management for 20 years.
He met his wife of 51 years, Linda (Behrens) Crossfield through a blind date in the fall of 1968. At the time, he was operating a small restaurant in Richfield Minnesota and they were married on April 19, 1969 in Okabena, MN. From 1969 to 1978 he was transferred to a number of food service locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. They moved back to Okabena in 1978 where Chuck changed vocations to stay in one place. He owned Behrens Farm Equipment, a small business in dairy equipment sales and service in Okabena, MN for 20 years where they raised their 2 girls, Brenda and Renee.
In 1999, they moved to Olathe, Kansas to follow Linda's job. During the time they lived in Kansas and since their girls were grown, they had the opportunity to travel. They took cruises to the Western Caribbean, Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, the Mediterranean and Mexico. They also had the opportunity to visit their nephew and family while they were stationed in Germany, with a side trip to France. When Linda retired in 2012, they moved back to Minnesota to be near their grandchildren.
In retirement, they spent the winter in Gulf Shores, Alabama with friends. Chuck enjoyed family and spending time with his grandchildren. He loved playing golf and was a "marshall" at Heritage Golf course in Olathe KS and the Legacy Golf course in Faribault. He played in many leagues throughout his life and enjoyed playing golf with his grandson Owen. He loved watching the Vikings and the Twins (despite constant disappointment). He liked watching old westerns, game shows, and sports on TV. He enjoyed fishing, pan fish were his favorite to catch but he caught many varieties over his life, even a shark. He loved a good fish fry, but it was never "just right." He did not like vegetables, but loved his sweets! He even shared his favorites with his youngest granddaughter Brynn. He liked shopping around for the best deals especially for meat sales and checked the ads for fast food coupons so he could get a sandwich for a "deal." He liked playing cards and shaking dice and would buy a lottery ticket only when the pot was big. He played daily solitaire and hearts on the computer. He liked talking with others over coffee, sharing the latest news. He made sure he called his grandchildren weekly, especially when Ella and Owen went to college. He always ended visits by saying, "keep those cards and letters coming." He liked reading books, mostly westerns and mysteries. Linda and Charles attended church regularly and were members of First English Lutheran Church in Faribault.
Preceded in death by his parents Herman and Irma. His wife Linda (Behrens) Crossfield.
Surviving are his children Brenda Crossfield, Platteville, WI, and Renee (Jonathan) Beardsley, Faribault, MN, grandchildren, Ella, Owen and Brynn Beardsley, one brother, Frederick (Marilyn) Crossfield, Rochester, MN, one sister Adele (Crossfield) Zander Lewiston, MN, Nephew Scott (Lawna) Crossfield, Nieces Debra Adams, Peggy (Dave) Bruns, Rebecca Kruetzfeldt.
Visitation will be on Friday May 23, 2025, at First English Lutheran Church from 9 am- 10 am. The Celebration of Life will be at 10 am at First English Lutheran Church with interment at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston MN at 2 pm.