Charles A. Noben

Charles Noben, age 95, died January 29, 2021 at Ecumen Emmanuel Transitional Care Unit in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Charles Arvid Noben was born February 11, 1925, the second of three children, to Henry Noben and Freida (Solseth) Noben at the Noben farmstead located four miles North of Lake Park.  Charles’ grandfather, Christian O. Noben, established this Cuba Township farm in 1891.  He was baptized and confirmed at Lake Park Lutheran Church.  He attended school at District 12, a one room rural schoolhouse, through eighth grade and then Lake Park High School, where he was active in sports and known as “Spider” on the basketball team.  Charles graduated with the class of 1943. He then farmed with his father.

On October 8, 1959, Charles married Elline Glenda Seydel at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Audubon, Minnesota, where he became an active member and served on the council for several years.  Charles and Elline took over the family farm, a place that he lived at his entire life, and where they raised their children Nancy, Glenn, and Chris.

Charles’ life calling was to be a farmer.  Through the years he raised a wide variety of crops and livestock. His trusted dogs Micky the Bulldog and later Laddie the Border Collie helped herd the cows home from pasture at milking time. Harvest was always an exciting time of year for Charles and he truly never retired from farming, enjoying driving tractor into his 90’s.  He served on many agricultural boards including the Lake Park Co-op. Elevator Company, Audubon Co-op. Creamery, and Lake Park Shipping Assn.

His passion was mowing lawns, including the yard at the District 12 Schoolhouse, driving around the countryside to “See what’s going on”, spending time at Big Floyd Lake, going on pontoon rides, watching sports, and reading newspapers.  In 1991, Charles and Elline were honored with a Century Farm Award and in 1994, as the Becker County Valley Farmer and Homemaker.  They were members of the Country Twirlers Square Dance Club for eighteen years.  For decades, Charles kept a daily journal of his activities, particularly the weather for the day.  Charles had a Sweet Tooth for chocolates and ice cream, but his favorite foods were lefse and LUTEFISK…“Because it slides down good”.

Charles died from congestive heart failure at Ecumen Emmanuel Transitional Care Unit in Detroit Lakes, where he was recovering from a fractured hip.

He is survived by his daughter, Nancy (Konrad) Noben-Trauth, Lake Park, MN and his son Chris Noben, Lake Park, MN. Brother-In-Laws, Grant Seydel and Eugene Seydel, Sister-In-Law Kay Seydel, twelve nieces and seven nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elline (age 73) and son, Glenn (age 42) both in 2005.  Sisters, Rhoda (Noben) Martin and husband Lloyd Martin; Clarice (Noben) Ernst and husband Clifford Ernst; Brother and Sister-In-Laws, John & Leona Koenig, Wilbert Seydel, Walter & Esther Atkinson, Junior Seydel, Lester & Sylvia Nearhoof, Paul & Lyla Olson, John “Wally” & Luella Lindstrom, Archie Seydel, Elroy Seydel, Sandy (Otto) Seydel.

A private family funeral service, officiated by Rev. John E. Merseth, Sr., will be held Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Wright Funeral Home in Hawley, Minnesota.

Burial will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Audubon, Minnesota.