Charlie Heustess, age 87 of Henry, passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at the community center in Henry.
Charles Frederick Heustess was born November 21, 1937 in Detroit Mich. to George and Effie (Moulton) Heustess. After living in multiple states, the family settled in Sacramento, Calif., where he graduated from Grant High School in 1956 and joined the National guard in his senior year.
Charlie married Lynore Isebel Calder on February 7, 1957 and their union produced seven 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, S.D.
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, fox 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 was preceded in death by his parents, George and Effie; three sisters: Virginia Swenson, Lenore Hull and Vivian Lane; two brothers: Llyod Heustess and Roy Heustess; his first wife Lynore and second wife Shirley; son George Heustess; daughter-in-law Margie Heustess; and two great-grandsons: Robert Heustess and Gabriel Christofferson.
He is survived by a brother Jim (Gayle) Heustess of Oklahoma; two daughters: Teresa (Dale) Peterson of Henry and Cathy (Fred) Dittenber of Ashley, N.D.; one daughter-in-law Georgia Heustess of Milbank; four sons: Charlie D. Heustess of Buckeye, Ariz., Arthur (Dorinda) Heustess of Elverta, Calif. and Mike (Judy) Heustess of Buckeye, Ariz.; 15 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and even some great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti.
