Charles F. Spiesman

Charles F. Spiesman, 85 a life long resident of the Devils Lake area, died on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND. Funeral Services for Chuck will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Devils Lake. Pastor Kevin Kaufmann will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Chuck will be Raymond Sletteland, John Sletteland, C.J. Bloomquist, Leo Ziegler, Jarrod Stubbe and Armen Hanson. Music will be provided by Peter A. Hager, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist Charles F. Spiesman, son of Charles D. and Myrtle (Becker) Spiesman was born on November 19, 1923 at Devils Lake, ND where Charles would farm and make his home for the rest of his life. Chuck was educated in Devils Lake, graduating from Central High School in the class of 1941. He enrolled in the first class of the new Lake Region Junior College. He entered the United States Navy on January 27, 1944 and served his country during World War II in the South Pacific. After his honorable discharge on May 4, 1946, he returned to Devils Lake and worked in the parts department of the State Machine Company and later worked for Harry E. McHugh Inc. the Devils Lake Dodge Dealership. On March 15, 1952 Chuck was united in marriage to Maxine Anas at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Devils Lake. In 1955, they purchased the farm, formerly owned by Carl and Margaret Swanson and established their home there. Charles and Maxine served as stewards of the land their entire married life. As a pastime, Chuck enjoyed restoring and researching the history of old tractors. Charles was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Elks Lodge and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Charles is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Maxine Son: Lee Spiesman and his wife, Wendy of Fargo Sister: Evelyn Schuler Nephew: Robert Schuler both living in California He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.