David Vincent Charlson

Dave (known fondly by his children as “Pobbies” and his grandchildren as “Grandpobbies”) was born July 16, 1938 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to the Reverend Dalton Vincent Charlson and Pearl Evelyn Charlson. As a preachers kid, he lived in a variety of towns across the upper-Midwest (including Walnut Grove - but he didn’t personally know Laura Ingalls Wilder). Dave graduated from Bradley University with a B.S. in Engineering and following his graduation he worked in Design, Development, and Manufacturing. While working for Simmons, he was sent on a temporary assignment to San Fransisco where he met the lovely and talented Mary Catherine (Cathy) Werlich.

Dave’s assignment concluded so he was called back to Illinois and both Cathy and Dave were bereft. Cathy went into nursing back in Minneapolis and worked in the locked psych ward in an attempt to forget Dave, but love conquered all and they were married in Galva, Illinois, on December 30, 1965 and remained married for 57+ years at the time of his death. They located in Lansing, Illinois and had 2 children before moving to Detroit Lakes, MN where the air was clear and they added one more child to their flock. Dave worked for M.S.I. and Snappy developing equipment that precisely bent and formed metal, for which he received a patent. The family lived an idyllic life in a home that Dave constructed on the shores of Floyd Lake in DL, until 1984 when they transferred to North Carolina with Dave’s job. Dave and Cathy were avid supporters of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill where their 3 children attended undergraduate studies.

In the early 1990s, Dave discovered his love and exceptional talent for woodcarving. His specialty was carving a new Santa every year for family and friends. He also carved award-winning pieces and characters and donated carvings for charitable auctions. Dave and Cathy returned to Minnesota in 2001 when they retired (who does that?) and settled first in Montgomery, MN. Dave joined a Barbershopper’s singing group in Faribault called the Lakelanders. He sang Tenor and performed with the group for 13 years and loved every minute of it. In 2012 a house in Plymouth, Minnesota was the final destination for the next 11 years. After a brief illness and diagnosis of cancer, Dave passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dalton Vincent Charlson, and Pearl Evelyn Charlson.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Catherine “Cathy” (Werlich) Charlson; children, Dan (Anitta), Karen (Matt Williamson), and Mark (Jamie); Grandchildren, Dalton, Isabel, Alexandria, George and Jessica; Siblings, Glenn (Evelyn), and Sandra Ligoki; many cousins and friends; and his sweet kitty, Baby. In lieu of flowers donations to the Lakelanders at 1320 Greenleaf Road Faribault, MN 55021.

Service to be held at St. Barnabas Church in Plymouth, MN on June 21, 2023 with 9:30 visitation and 10:00 service. A luncheon will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Hope.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Charlson family.