Charles (Chuck) Hustad, age 94 passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family, on February 20, 2024, from complications of prostate cancer.
Chuck was born June 18, 1929, in LaMoure County, North Dakota, the fourth son of Sidney and Clara (Aftem) Hustad. The family moved to the New Glarus/Mt. Horeb area in 1931 where he attended the Plainview Country School and then graduated from Mt. Horeb High School in 1948. He served in the US Army Signal Corp in the Communications Division and was stationed at the Brooklyn Army Base in New York City in 1948 and 1949.
On November 14, 1953, he was united in marriage to Gladys Bircher at the Zwingli United Church of Christ in Monticello, Wisconsin. On November 14, 2023, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with their immediate family, or the Lucky Seven as Chuck dubbed them.
Chuck drove a semi-truck for Shurfine Foods delivering groceries for 36 years and traveled over three million miles. He was a member of the Teamster Union and served as Union Steward for the drivers for several years. In 1984 he received the Good Year Highway Hero Award for rescuing a driver from the backwater of the Wisconsin River. He was a member of Salem United Church of Christ in Verona since 1955 where he served on the consistory and was a past Council president. He also served on the Verona Park Board. He was a past Worshipful Master of the Verona Masonic Lodge and up until his death served as an officer of the New Glarus Masonic Lodge. He also was a member of the Scottish Rites of Madison, Wisconsin. In 2019 Charles was awarded the Quilt of Valor for his army service and his dedication to the Veterans Memorial in New Glarus, Wisconsin.
Chuck enjoyed many years at the family cabin on Lake Flambeau near Ladysmith, Wisconsin. From his days as a young boy Chuck always loved the water and at the cabin he enjoyed boating, fishing and water skiing with family and friends. He also loved to dance and play cards and his quick wit was often the life of the party. Chuck was an avid reader, reading close to one thousand books after his retirement in 1990. When not reading he could be found spending time on his computer or iPad, and in the summer, he could be found outside taking care of his flowers, tomatoes, and lawn. Most of all he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and was very proud of all their accomplishments.
Charles is survived by his wife, Gladys, two daughters, Cindy Hustad Carlson (Tom Carlson), Gaithersburg, MD, Debra Hustad, Verona, two grandchildren, Clare Carlson, Washington, D.C., and Mark Carlson, Weehawken, NJ, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Archie, Maynard, and James.
The family would like to thank the very supportive care he received during his illness from Agrace Hospice Care, Inc. Chuck received exceptional care from his treatment team, including Joanne, Val, Ines, and Carolyn. During the last few months of his life Chuck grew especially fond of Ines and trusted her care completely, calling her the expert.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Salem United Church of Christ, 502 Mark Dr., Verona, WI with Rev. Phil Hobson and Pastor Brian Baker officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Swiss Church Cemetery, New Glarus, WI.
A visitation will precede the funeral service from 9:30 a.m. until time of services on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at the Salem United Church of Christ in Verona.
The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to Agrace HospiceCare, Inc.
Online condolences may be given at www.bealfuneralhomes.com
