Charles Fenton

A man of great character with a joy for life has left us far too early. Charles ‘Chuck’ H. Fenton, of Litchfield, MN passed away on July 19th, at his lake home in Park Rapids, MN, after a short and heartbreaking battle with pancreatic cancer. Chuck was surrounded by his loving wife, Sue and two children, Josh and Cassie as he made his way to his forever home. A visitation will be held Thursday, July 25th at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield, MN from 4 – 7pm. A funeral service will be held Friday, July 26th at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN at 1pm, followed by an interment at the Lake Ripley Cemetery and a reception at the Litchfield Golf Club on Lake Ripley.

Chuck was born on March 20, 1949, in Litchfield, MN. He was born to Richard (Dick) and Margaret (Maggie) Fenton and was the oldest of 3, with two sisters, Deborah (Debbie) and Susan (Suzy). At a young age, the Fenton Family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where Chuck spent some of his younger years playing in the deserts of Arizona. When Chuck was 16, his family moved back to Litchfield, where his father, Dick, came back to help run the family car dealership, Fenton Motors. Chuck graduated from Litchfield High School in 1967.

Chuck attended the University of Minnesota and received a bachelor’s degree in political science. While attending the U of M, Chuck was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He always spoke of the fond memories he had living at the fraternity house with his fraternity brothers.

Following his days at the U of M, Chuck started his professional career working as a realtor in the Twin Cities. During this time, he met his beloved wife, Susan (Sue) Stenberg. Chuck and Sue met while living in the same apartment complex in Bloomington, MN. You might say it was love at first sight, because 3 weeks later, Chuck proposed to Sue and they were married 3 months later, on October 12th, 1974, in Annandale, MN. Following their marriage, Chuck and Sue resided in Burnsville, MN, where Chuck continued his real estate career and Sue worked as a teacher in Bloomington. In 1975, Chuck and Sue moved back to Chuck’s hometown, Litchfield, where Chuck joined the family business, helping run Fenton Motors, while Sue worked as an elementary school teacher in Litchfield. Chuck and Sue welcomed their son, Josh in 1979 and daughter, Cassie in 1982. 

Chuck was an active leader in the Litchfield community his entire life. He served as a member on the City Council, youth hockey board and First Lutheran Church council. Additionally, he was the President of the Litchfield Kiwanis Club and he started a Ducks Unlimited chapter. One of Chuck’s greatest passions in life was golfing. For many years he served as a board member and president for Golf Club Inc. The Litchfield Golf Course and its community were near and dear to his heart.

Some of Chuck’s hobbies included hunting, fishing and golfing. He loved the outdoors and spending time at his lake home in Park Rapids, MN on Big Sand Lake, where upon his passing was serving as the President of the Big Sand Lake Association.

In Chuck’s retirement years he worked part-time at 2nd Swing in Minnetonka. I think if you asked him his favorite job he ever had, this would be it. He loved all his colleagues and spoke of the fun times he had often.

Most of all, Chuck adored his family, his wife Sue, his children, Josh (Lindsay) and Cassie (Chris) and his 5 Grandkids, Ryan (15), Luke (12), Drew (9), Grace (12), and Charlie (10). As his grandkids grew, his favorite thing to do became watching them play hockey, baseball, softball, football, basketball, and golf. They adored him just as much as he adored them. Our hearts are broken upon the passing of our husband, father and grandfather but we are comforted knowing he was greeted upon his passing by the family and friends that have gone before him, including his grandparents, parents, sister Debbie and the many friends.

Everyone who met Chuck became a fast friend, because of his vibrant personality and love of a great party. For those that knew him well, you know this to be true. If you take nothing more from your friendship with Chuck, our family hopes you carry on his legacy for living with a positive approach to life and that you remember what is most important…faith, family, friendship and love.

Memorials will be used for Litchfield Youth Sports, First Lutheran Church and the Big Sand Lake Association.