Charlotte E. Stinar, age 76, of Crookston, Minnesota, died peacefully early Monday morning, August 16, 2010, in the Altru Hospital at Grand Forks, North Dakota, with her family at her side.
Charlotte was born in Jackson, Minnesota on February 12, 1934, one of eight children born to the union of Hans and Katie (Baughman) Vind. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith and moved with her family to Crookston in January of 1941. Charlotte received her education in the Crookston Public Schools and was a 1952 graduate of Central High School. She was employed as a nurse’s aid at the Sunnyrest Sanitarium until her marriage to Duane J. Stinar on June 19, 1954 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. The couple settled in Jamestown, North Dakota, where Duane was employed, returning to Crookston in 1961. Over the years Charlotte led a very busy life as wife, mom, and homemaker. Together, she and Duane raised four children- Dennis, Debbie, Glenn, and Scott. Sadly, an infant son, Frederick Jay, died at birth on December 18, 1964. For several years Charlotte was employed by the Jiffy Fry Company in Crookston, which later became known as J.R. Simplot. After a fire in the late 1970’s, which closed the plant, she began working at Ramstad’s Hardware. After the close of Ramstad’s, Charlotte began working at Doda’s Hardware Hank, and was with them for several years. She had been working with Tri-Valley Housekeeping up to the present time, and as Charlotte’s kids so affectionately said of their mom, “she didn’t retire until she closed her eyes for the last time at the hospital.”
Charlotte was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church, WELCA, and the Altar and Hannah Guilds. She was a member and three-term president of the Crookston Eagles Auxiliary, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and volunteered her time at the Golden Link Senior Center. Charlotte was a wonderful cook and baker, and in her glory when preparing meals for her family and friends. She enjoyed camping with her family at various sites throughout the region, but Trinity Point on Maple Lake was always her favorite spot. Charlotte was a huge Minnesota Twins fan and had a great time attending a game in their new park, Target Field, earlier this summer. She was also an avid reader. First and foremost in Charlotte’s life was her family. She and Duane had a wonderful life together during their fifty-six year marriage, and she was extremely proud of her kids and their spouses, and considered herself blessed by the love of her grandchildren, great-grandson, and her “adopted grandchildren.” Charlotte will be very lovingly remembered and sadly missed by all who were a part of her life.
