Charles Palmer, 93, Albert Lea

Published 10:21 am Thursday, August 23, 2012

Charles A. Palmer, age 93, of Albert Lea, formerly of Black River Falls, Wis., died Friday, Aug. 17, 2012, in his home.

Charles was born on June 3, 1919, in Milton Junction, Wis., to George M. and Anna (Lawton) Palmer.

He worked with his father as a mason and carpenter.

From 1942 to 1945, he served in the United States Army. He served most of his enlistment in the European theater. He attained the rank of TEC-4, in Company C, of the 834th Engineers Aviation Battilion. He was the recipient of the Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the Bronze Star. He was very proud to have served his country.

On June 20, 1953, he married Artyce J. Gilbertson Shankey at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls.

Charles worked for both Henry Stricker and Robert Striker Sr. at the former Stricker Construction Company in Edgerton, Wis. He also worked at and retired from the Nelson-Young Lumber Company. Following his retirement, he and Artyce moved to Black River Falls and resided there until 1995 when they moved to Albert Lea to be closer to their children.

Charles’ family was very important to him. He was always willing to make a wood product for his grandsons and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are one daughter Marietta (Fred) Stein, Albert Lea; grandsons, Andrew Frederick (Erin) Stein and their two children, Connor Jon and Gretta Joy, Grand Forks, N.D., Kristoffer Carl Charles (Kaitlin) Stein, Austin; one brother, William Palmer, Milton, Wis.; and nephews, Brent, Brian and Brooke Peterson, and Richard and Wayne Palmer; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife Artyce, on April 20, 2012.

Funeral services for Charles A. Palmer were at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Torgerson’s Funeral Home, 408 N. Water St., Black River Falls. Services were conducted by the Rev. Cal Thoreson and burial with military honors was slated in Riverside Cemetery in Black River Falls. Relatives and friends called at the funeral home on Wednesday from noon until the time of services.