July 18, 1932 – February 22, 2026
Charles Henry Pieper was born to Charlie and Ruby (Chesley) Pieper on July 18, 1932 in rural Ceylon, MN. He passed away at the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville, IA on February 22, 2026 at the age of 93 years.
Charles grew up in rural Spirit Lake. On December 10, 1954 he was united in marriage to Audrey I. Rowe celebrating 60 years together before Audrey’s passing. Together they had six children Henry Pieper, Clancy (Barb) Pieper, Shirley (Marc) Crawmer, Carl (Karen) Pieper of Frazee, MN, Carrie (Larry) Johnson of Estherville, IA, Audra (Rod) Sowles of Brewster, MN, and Bob Metli of Ault, CO; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren.
Charles was an Army veteran and served during the Korean War Conflict. He worked various jobs including heavy equipment operator, pipe laying, carpentry, and truck driving. He retired from Yellow Freight in Spencer, Iowa. He enjoyed fishing, especially if the fishing included his grandchildren, making his paracord zipper fobs and crosses, and multiple items from black diamond willow (lamps, canes, and walking sticks) in his spare time. Upon retirement he and Audrey bought a home in Nashwauk, Minnesota to enjoy his past time of fishing all year long. If he came into contact with any of our country’s veterans he was offering them one of his canes, walking sticks, or zipper fobs. He would leave several of the fobs at the churches and VA clinics to be handed to any one with motor skill issues to help them zip their coats.
Charles is survived by his children Carl (Karen), Carrie (Larry), Audra (Rod), Bob, and daughter-in-law Barb, his 13 grandchildren, 24 great- grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife Audrey, his parents Charlie and Ruby Pieper, his parents-in-law Dean and Viola Rowe, his children Henry, Clancy, and Shirley, son-in-law Marc, and great-granddaughter Eva Letourneau. He is also preceded in death by his siblings and siblings-in-law James (Alphild) Pieper, Bertha Pieper, Delores (Robert) Williams, Rose (Ed) Lloyd, Lois (Richard) Anderson, and Leonard Rowe.
Blessed be the memory of Charles.
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