Charles Kirchoff

Charles E. Kirchoff, 89, of Fergus Falls passed away February 5th, 2012 surrounded by his family. He was residing at the Veteran's Administration care facility in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. He was born September 11, 1922 in Cleghorn, Iowa, to Walter and Florence (Woodall) Kirchoff. During the Great Depression, Charles and his family relocated to Mesa, Arizona. They returned to Cleghorn in 1934 and his parents established a Service Station and Restaurant called "Bud's Place."  In 1940, Charles met the love of his life, Lola Hanno. They were married October 25th, 1942, in Remsen, Iowa. Charles enlisted in the Navy one month later and served at the Naval Air Stations of Memphis, Tennessee and Barber's Point, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged November 30th, 1945. After the war, Charles and his family returned to Cleghorn and worked in the family business. In 1957, Charles moved his family to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota where he farmed and managed a truck stop. In 1964, Charles accepted a transfer to work as the Manager of the Western Station in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Charles went to work for Wold Petroleum in the late 1960's. In 1974, he and his business partner, Ralph Perkins, purchased the business from Julian Wold and renamed the company "Kirchoff Perkins Oil." After retiring in 1984, Charles spent many years in Fergus Falls enjoying fishing, tinkering in his garage and watching his grandchildren grow. Charles was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Fergus Falls VFW. He will be fondly remembered for his love of horses, appreciation of big band-era music and his annual attempts at cultivating the perfect tomato garden. Charles is preceded in death by his wife Lola Kirchoff, his parents, and daughter, Linda Riewer. Charles is survived by his son, Barry (Kathleen) Kirchoff of Saint Cloud, granddaughter Jessica (Joshua) Schneider and sons Brody and Simon of Hanover; granddaughter Alisha (Cameron) Macintosh of Champaign, Ill.; grandson Bryce Kirchoff of Los Angeles, Calif.; sister Wilma Slagter of Riviera, Ariz.; and former son-in-law Richard Riewer of Frazee. Charles' family extends its sincerest gratitude to the dedicated healthcare professionals at the Veteran's Administration care facility building 49-1 in Saint Cloud. Their tender care comforted Charles in his final days and offered untold support to his loved ones. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Thursday, February 9, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Curtis Deterding and Reverend Roger Lange Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be designated to Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls or the St. Cloud VA Hospice Unit.