Deacon Charles E. Wolford, 98

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Deacon Charlie Wolford loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, went home to the Lord on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. He passed away comfortably at his home in Redondo Beach surrounded by family and friends. He died on the Feast of St Charles Borromeo, his patron saint. 

Charlie was born in Omaha, Neb., on Sept. 9, 1926, to Leo and Lucille Wolford. He was the third of five children. Charlie graduated from Holy Name High School and became a Daily Mass attendee since that time. He joined the United States Navy at 17 and proudly served his country during WWII and the Korean War. After the war he took classes at Crieghton University.

He met his future wife, Gurina Anne Larsen, at St. Peter’s Church in Omaha, and they were married on May 1, 1954. Together, they raised six children; Joe, Mary, Tom, Annemarie, Bill and Mark and were blessed with six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Charlie worked for Union Pacific Railroad Company in Omaha as a Control Operator. Later he and Gurina moved to Missouri Valley, where he worked for Chicago North Western Railroad. He retired from the railroad after 40 years.

Charlie was ordained as a Permanent Deacon Oct. 9, 1993 in Des Moines and served 31 years. He was the first Deacon of St. Patrick’s Church in Missouri Valley. He also served as a Hospital Chaplin at the Missouri Valley Hospital and Longview Nursing Home. Charlie started the Meals on Wheels program in Missouri Valley. He helped to establish the first Senior Citizen Center with the financial help of Mr. Rand. The center eventually became known as the Rand Community Center. 

Charlie was an athlete and rode his bicycle on Ragbrai from 1987 to 2005, almost every summer, where he raised awareness for various causes like the Rand center. 

At 80 years young Charlie did mission work with the Maryknoll Fathers in Central America. 

Charlie later moved to Redondo Beach, Calif., to live with his daughter Annemarie and son-in-law Bob.

He was officially encarted to serve as a deacon for the Archdiocese of LA. He served at St. James in Redondo Beach, Calif. and with the Carmelite Sisters. While working with the Sisters of Nazareth he was able to assist Archbishop Cardinal Rodger Mahoney and Archbishop Jose H. Gomez with the Holy Catholic Mass.

While in California he traveled with his daughter and son-in-law to Europe where he participated as a Deacon at Fatima, Lourdes, and St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. At 96 yrs old he was able to travel with Annemarie on the Honor Flight to Washington DC as an honored WWII and Korean War Vet.

Charlie lived a full and blessed life, loving his family and friends during his 98 years here on earth. 

Services will be at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to:

Annemarie and Bob Ritter

P.O. Box 1624

Redondo Beach California 90278