Charles Vehe

WEBSTER- Charles Vehe, 88 of Webster and formerly of Bristol died on Thursday May 8, 2008 at Bethesda Home in Webster. His funeral will be at 2:00 PM Monday May 12, 2008 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Bristol, Janet Miller will officiate. Burial will be in the Bristol Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Sunday from 5-7 PM and prior to services at the church on Monday. Charles William Vehe was born on Wednesday, March 24, 1920 to Norbert and Alma (Reetz) Vehe on the family farm in Butler Township near Bristol, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Bristol. He walked one mile across pasture land to attend country grade school. In 1937 he graduated from Bristol High School. After graduation he enrolled at South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota for three and a half years where he majored in civil and electrical engineering. While in Rapid City he earned his pilots license. In 1941, Charles moved to Van Nuys, California where he worked at Lockheed Aircraft Company during WWII. While in California he was united in marriage to Audrey Joy Hanson on January 25, 1942. The couple remained in California and both worked for Lockheed along with his sister Bernice and her husband Glen. Charles worked on the wing of the B-17. In 1947 they moved back to Bristol to farm with Charles’ father and brother Harold. When Harold retired, Charles continued to operate the Vehe family farm. He remained active with the farming operation until 2007 when his health forced him to enter Bethesda Nursing Home in Webster. Even then Charley kept up to date with markets and farming plans, while his son and daughter continue to run and operate the Vehe family farm. Charles will be remembered as a hard worker, pleasant mannered person, easy going personality, and a very organized individual. He loved his livestock and everything about farming. In later years his companion, Cookie, a cocker spaniel, was always at his side. He enjoyed many family gatherings with grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all those who loved him. Charles passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 88 years, 1 months and 15 days. He is survived by one son, Mark of Bristol, SD; one daughter, Lori (Greg) of Bristol, SD; one sister, Bernice Schultz of Winter Park, FL; one brother, Harold (Helen) Vehe of Pahrump, NV; seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Audrey, one grandson Russel, two nephews, and four brothers-in-law.