Charles Edward Dutcher, 75 of Warrens, passed peacefully in his sleep on August 12, 2024, finalizing his long goodbye.
He was born January 21, 1949, to Franklin DeWayne and Muriel Elsie (Kuntz) Dutcher, in Sparta. He grew up in the Tomah/Warrens area, attending St. Mary’s Catholic school as a child and graduating from Tomah Senior High School, class of ‘67. After high school Charles moved to work for Chrysler in Belvidere, IL, where he would meet the love of his life, Gloria Grace Edmonds. They married on January 3, 1972, and raised four loving children together.
They would move to Dallas, TX in 1978 where he worked as a Quality Control Specialist for Texas Instruments, all while fine tuning his Jack-of-all-trades skill set. After spending seven years too far from home and family, Charles & Gloria moved their family back home to Warrens in 1985. They settled on the Dutcher homestead in Bear Bluff and purchased the tavern in Warrens, naming it American Pie after their now famous homemade pizza the couple started making as a family years before. It was time to share American Pie with the community. When the business became too much for family life, they sold it, and Charles moved on to work at Toro Company in various roles until his retirement.
Charles & Gloria loved to camp and travel with family. He was a lover of the natural world. They loved watching the wildlife around their home. He enjoyed creating with his hands, whether it was in his woodshop, garden, or kitchen. He took great pride in the work he did to improve their family home. He enjoyed homesteading from canning to maple syrup making, and even created his own mini apple orchard.
He was known by many names: Chuckie, Chuck, Charlie, and Charles. As the middle child of eight, he was known as little brother, big brother, and son. He’s Dad, Grandad, and Great Grandad. Each and every one of those names meant the world to him.
In January 2022, Charles was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease marking the start of his long goodbye, though the signs were visible earlier. His mother and older sister, both, also suffered from this unkind illness.
Charles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gloria Dutcher of Warrens, his four children Amy White of Seagoville, TX, Jared (Mary) Dutcher of Tacoma, WA, Heather Dutcher of Tomah, WI, Georganne (Eddie) Gebhardt of Warrens, WI, his five grandsons Joshua (Jordan) White, Roger (Kelsey) White, Joseph (Kayla) White, Kyle (Janie) Gebhardt, Devin Gebhardt, sister Kathleen (Dan) Fishbach, brothers John Dutcher, Frank (Beverly) Dutcher, Steve (Gina) Dutcher, Brian Dutcher, brothers-in-law Tye Schwalbe, Dale (Nan) Edmonds, Roger (Tina) Edmonds, Ed Kettner, sisters-in-law Mary Edmonds, Marion Edmonds, 16 great grandchildren and countless nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He loved them all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James Dutcher, his sister Sandra Schwalbe, brothers-in-law Bob Edmonds, Les Edmonds, Jim Edmonds, Wayne Edmonds, sisters-in-law Ruth Kettner, Annette Dutcher, and Joyce Edmonds.
Friends and family are invited to join us for a Celebration of Life on August 24, 2024, 10 a.m. to noon with a prayer service and luncheon to follow at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 East Monowau Street, Tomah. If you knew him, you know that Charles was a casual person, please dress casually. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org/goto/dutcherALZ
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
