Charles Barstow

Charles Everett Barstow, age 85, of Grantsburg died July 13, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. Charles was born in Mahnomen, Minnesota on July 21, 1925 to Ellsworth and Delia (Vivier) Barstow, along with 3 sisters and 7 brothers. Charles attended school in Pipestone, Minnesota and then made his way to St. Paul, Minnesota where he found work in a diner. He worked there and at a tire retread company, and then was hired at Seeger's Refrigeration, which had been refitted to make products for the U.S. Army. In 1943, he met his wife, Aidajane (Jensen), when she was transferred from their shell plant to start working on the punch press. Charles joined the Navy later that same year and was soon on his way to boot camp. He and Aidajane married on September 1, 1943, and he left for training September 27, 1943. After camp, he had a short leave and then was off to Tiburon, California for submarine net building and laying sub nets. He was in the Pacific Ocean Theatre throughout his service and was discharged in December 1945, arriving home in time for Christmas to meet his 18-month old son. Charles started farming in Wyoming, Minnesota soon after being discharged from the Navy. He and Aidajane moved to Wisconsin in 1954 to farm in Wood Lake Township, Burnett County. Charles and Aidajane moved to their present home by the Crex Meadows in 1991, just in time for the big blizzard of that Halloween. Charles loved spending time with his wife and family. He also enjoyed gardening, moving the lawn, and feeding the deer, squirrels and birds. He watched for the spring arrival of orioles, hummingbirds, goldfinch, robins, catbirds, wrens and phoebes. Charles enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, his trips to Canada to hunt or fish, and his hunting trips to Colorado with his boys. He was preceded in death by his mother, Delia; father Ellsworth; daughter Jean Marie; infant daughter Carol Jean; sister Grace; and his brothers Ed, Clem, Earl, Leonard, Ellsworth III (Al), Vernon (Ted) and Raymond. Charles' memory is celebrated by his wife, Aidajane Barstow; sons David (Liana) Barstow, Dennis (Andrea) Barstow, Steven (Theresa) Barstow, Rand (Susan) Barstow; daughterJoan Strese (Ed Columbus); many grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters Viva LaBatte, Vera Dziuk; many nieces and nephews and other relatives; special friends Larry Tretsven and Jerry Lunzer and Alan Oldeen and many other friends. Memorial services will be held Friday, July 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM with visitation from 4:00-7:00 PM at Swedberg-Taylor Family Funeral Home, Siren Chapel with Kevin Miller officiating. Music will be provided by Milton Johnson. Interment will be held at a later date at the Wood River Baptist Cemetery.