Charles Schulte

Charles E. Schulte, age 92, of Alexandria, MN died on May 4, 2017 at the Knute Nelson Care Center where he had been a resident since 2010.

Charles was born in Minneapolis, MN on April 10, 1925 to Edward and Laura Schulte and was later cared for by his paternal uncle and aunt, Robert and Elizabeth Schulte. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and served as an orderly at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC. Following his military service, he attended and graduated from the Dunwoody Institute (currently the Dunwoody College of Technology) in Minneapolis, MN where he was trained as a machinist and tool and die maker. On May 9, 1953 he married Theresa Marie Leisdon in Alexandria, MN at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Charles and Theresa were happily married 49 years until her death in April 2002. Charles worked for over 15 years at Dayton Rogers as a Machinist. A man of many skills, he also restored a 1952 Chevrolet and built his own boat while living in Burnsville, MN. Charles's dream of running his own farm became a reality in 1968 when he and Theresa purchased a dairy farm in Miltona, MN. He also founded Spruce Hill Machines, a custom machine shop specializing in producing parts used by in race car, packaging and music industries, including designing and producing the tooling to create the all-aluminum Fender Stratocaster. He had a reputation for precision workmanship and quiet professionalism. Family focused, Charles was a dedicated husband, attentive father, and proud grandfather and great grandfather. His family and friends will remember his kindness, musical talent, sense of humor and his persistent love of life. He is profoundly missed.

Charles is survived by his 6 children (and their spouses/partners): Kathy Pexsa (Bert Pexsa) of Miltona, MN; Martin Schulte (Patricia Shaffer) of Perham, MN; Carol Schulte of Hopkins, MN; Marvin Schulte (Mary van Muelken) of Philadelphia, PA, Barbara Kampff (Roger Kamppf) Cottowood Falls, Kansas, and Robert Schulte of Wahpten, MN.; Grandchildren: Grant Pexsa (Cami Pexsa), Laurie Maras (Michael Maras), Ryan Pexsa (Kelley Pexsa), Michael Schulte van Muelken (Sun Hoe Kim), Matthew Schulte van Muelken, Meghan Robison (Jason Robison), Ben Kampff and Alyssa Kampff; Great Grandchildren: Jackson Robison, Tiffani Maras, Lauren Maras, Alena Maras, Gavin Pexsa, Ali Pexsa, Breanna Pexsa, Katie Pexsa and Reagan Pexsa. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Laura Schulte, his aunt and uncle Robert and Elizabeth Schulte, his loving wife Theresa, and his brother Robert Warns.