Dr. Charles K. Lingren, 85, died peacefully Friday Jan. 11, 2019 at the Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings.
A public visitation and viewing will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, from 5-7 p.m. A funeral service and celebration of Chuck’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. A family graveside service will be held on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Oak Wood Cemetery in Ackley, Iowa.
Charles Kenneth Lingren was born on a farm near Gowrie in Webster County, Iowa. He was the second of four sons born to Herbert and Zula Lingren. Chuck grew up on several farms in Webster County and graduated from Gowrie High School in 1951. After a few jobs and briefly serving in the US Army in 1953, he continued his education, first at Fort Dodge Jr. College, and then at Iowa State Teachers College where he graduated with a BA in Social Science Education in 1958. Chuck was ready to start his life-long dedication to teaching.
Chuck started his teaching career in Waverly, Iowa, where he taught Social Studies to the 7th and 8th grades from 1958 through 1961. During this time, he met and courted Maxine May Fisher, a music teacher in Waverly. On June 4, 1961, Charles and Maxine were married in Boone, Iowa. After a long honeymoon in Europe, they returned to Waverly and teaching. Over their lives together, both Chuck and Max loved traveling and teaching and always found joy in new adventures and in the classroom working with young people.
Chuck accepted a teaching position in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he taught High School Social Studies at Washington High (1962-1967) and later at Kennedy High School (1967-1969). In 1968, Chuck was named outstanding young educator in Cedar Rapids. In 1969, he was asked to coordinate the Social Studies program across all grades in the Cedar Rapids school district. He served as the President of the Cedar Rapids Education Association (1967-1969) and as executive board member of the Iowa State Education Association (1969-1972). Chuck also studied at the University of Iowa where he earned a Master’s degree in History and Social Science Education (1968) and a Ph.D. in Secondary Education and Educational Administration (1976).
In Cedar Rapids, Chuck and Max bought their first house and became the parents of three children, Michael (1962), Eric (1966), and Beth (1967). They were loving and supportive parents, active in the church and community. Extended family was very important with many family trips back to the farm country where both were born.
Chuck returned to the classroom and accepted a position as Associate Professor at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. He and Max moved the family, joined the First United Methodist Church, and integrated into the community. Chuck continued his love of education working with people from all over the state who wanted to become teachers and principals. He advanced to Professor and Head of Advanced Studies in the Department of Education and Counseling where, in 1997, he was named outstanding teacher. Chuck retired from SDSU (1998) but continued to support education as Professor Emeritus until 2005.
Chuck was a warm and friendly person who loved the people of Brookings. He was a member of Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions Club. He served a 5-year term on the Brookings Planning Commission. At church, he taught Sunday school, and confirmation and served on several boards and committees. After retirement, he traveled, spent time with friends and family, and developed a passion for genealogy, investigating and documenting his family history.
Chuck is survived by his children Michael (Sophie) of Vancouver, BC, Eric (Sandy) of Charlotte, NC, and Beth (Mannix) of Maplewood, MN, and brother Ted of Henderson, TN. Chuck loved his grandchildren Hannah, Natalie, Libby, Jacob, Emma, and Fisher. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Herb and Ron, and his beloved wife Maxine.
The family would like to thank all of the people who provided amazing friendship and loving care to Chuck in his later years. This includes his wonderful friends, the staff at Interim Healthcare, and the staff at the Neighborhoods. Chuck loved teaching and working with people. He devoted over 40 years of his life to the teaching profession. Because of this, in lieu of flowers please support those wishing to become teachers with a memorial donation to the Charles K. Lingren Scholarship at the SDSU Foundation, 815 Medary Ave, Brookings, SD 57006.
