Charles F. Heustess

Charlie Heustess, age 87, of Henry, SD passed away on Sunday October 12, 2025, at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown. A Celebration of Life will be held by family at 2 pm on Saturday, October 18th, 2025, at the community center in Henry, SD.  

Charles Frederick Heustess was born Nov. 21,1937 in Detroit MI, to George and Effie (Moulton) Heustess. After living in multiple states, the family settled in Sacramento, CA where he graduated from Grant High School in 1956 and joined the National Guard in his senior year.

Charlie married Lynore Isebel Calder on Feb. 7, 1957, and their union produced 7 children, which they raised in Sacramento. In 1973 Charlie moved to Alaska where he had many jobs, from working on the pipeline to driving anything with a steering wheel; truck, bus, airplane, fishing boats and heavy equipment. Charlie and Lynore divorced but remained friendly. In 1998 he married Shirley Hammers, they remained in Alaska until 2016 when they moved to Henry, SD.

Charlie loved fixing anything or taking it apart to see how it worked then putting it back together. There were very few things he could not drive, fix or find a use for. Later in life Charlie also found a passion for quilting from and with his brother Jim. He made each of his children and many others their own quilts. Charlie loved to share his vast knowledge with anyone who wanted to learn and would also tell stories of his many lifetime adventures.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, George and Effie, 3 sisters Virgina Swenson, Lenore Hull and Vivian Lane, 2 brothers Llyod Heustess and Roy Heustess, his 1st wife Lynore and 2nd wife Shirley, son George Heustess, DIL Margie Heustess and 2 Great-Grandsons Robert Heustess and Gabriel Christofferson.

He is survived by a brother Jim (Gayle) Heustess OK, 2 daughters Teresa (Dale) Peterson Henry SD, and Cathy (Fred) Dittenber Ashley ND, 1 DIL Georgia Heustess Milbank SD, 4 sons Chalie D. Heustess Buckeye AZ, Arthur (Dorinda) Heustess Henry SD, Glenn (Becky) Heustess Elverta CA, and Mike (Judy) Heustess Buckeye AZ, 15 Grand Children, many great grandchildren and even some great-great grand Children, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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