Charles A. Schara, 91, died peacefully with his daughters at his side on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Austin, Minn., at approximately 10:10 p.m. after a short bout with lung cancer.

Charles was born in Postville, Iowa, on Jan. 25, 1921, where he attended Postville schools and worked on the family farm until being drafted in September 1942 to help the war effort. He was a tank driver in the 601st Tank Destroyer Division, Company C, and saw action in Tunisia, Sicily, Naples, Foggia, Romfarno, South France, Rhineland and Central Europe, where he received two purple hearts and Bronze Service arrowhead medals for his courage and valor.

Upon returning from the war in October 1945, he traveled back to Postville to work on the farm until finding full time employment at Hormel Company in Austin where he was a meat cutter for 37 years. Charles married Donna Schwinefus on Feb. 22, 1951, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. He retired in 1982 to enjoy life with his family and his favorite hobbies including carpentry, woodworking, fishing, fishing and more fishing.

He was preceded in death by wife Donna of 57 years, father Fred Schara, mother Jennie Schroeder, sister Verla Strein and brothers Ray, Harlan and Jack Schara.

Charles is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Gayle and Dan Jurkovich of Elk River, Minn., Robyn Schara of La Crosse, Wis.; grandsons, Gary (Dawn) Jurkovich of Woodbury, Minn., Jay (Erin) Jurkovich of Hugo, Minn., Christopher Solberg of La Crosse; and granddaughter, Nicole Solberg of Denver, Colo.; four great-grandchildren, Olivia, Sophia, Mason and Cleo Jurkovich; brother Kenny Schara, Austin.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 19 at Grace Lutheran Church, 2001 Sixth Ave. SE, Austin with the Rev. Jeffrey Forbes officiating. Austin Post No. 91 American Legion and Olaf B. Damm Post No. 1216 Veterans of Foreign Wars are in charge of military rites. Interment will be Monday at 3 p.m. at the Postville Cemetery, 116 East Military Road, in Postville. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and at the church on Monday for one hour before the service.