Vigen Memorial Home obituary - Charles F. Anschutz, 92, Keokuk

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     Charles Felix Anschutz, 92 of Keokuk, IA, died Monday, May 24, 2021 at his home.

     He was born on November 18, 1928 in Keokuk, IA, the son of Felix and Ida Elizabeth Haubert.  He graduated from Keokuk Senior High with the Class of 1947.

In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was in the 682nd Combat Engineers. In 1952 he was transferred into the 969th Construction Engineers Company B and in 1952 he was sent overseas to Lavorno, Italy where he served until January 1953. He returned to the United States where he received his Honorable Discharge.

     On November 13, 1960, Charles was united in marriage to Saralee Ruby in Keokuk.  She survives

     He is also survived by three children, Charles (Mary) Anschutz of Independence, MO, Wayne (Susan) Anschutz of Pella, IA and Cindy (Jon) Wollenburg of Omaha, NE, four grandsons, Will and Ben Anschutz of Pella and Tyler and Andrew Wollenburg of Omaha.  He is also survived by one sister, Susan (Dow) Prouty of Cedar Rapids, IA and several nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Anschutz in 1956, his parents, aunts and uncles.

     Charles had been employed at Chevron Chemical Plant in Fort Madison, IA for twenty-five years.

     He was inducted into the Masonic Lodge in 1950, where he served in various roles and was Secretary of the Lodge for over thirty years.  He joined the Kaaba Shrine in 1958 where he was Treasurer for over twenty-five years and served as a Hospital Dad, helping qualify young kids for medical care at the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis.  He made many trips to St. Louis to take children to the Hospital.  He was a member of the American Legion for over thirty years.  He was a charter member of the Keokuk Yacht Club and served as treasurer for several years.  He was also a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary where he taught Safe Boating Classes for twenty-five years.

     Chuck enjoyed boating on the Mississippi River and had a passion for the history of the river.  He was a member of the Midwest Riverboat Buffs club for over twenty-five years and took many weekend trips to attend meetings with the group, reminiscing about the river, the boats, the people, and sight-seeing.  He spent his childhood growing up living near the river and it became part of who he was.

     A visitation will be held from 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk with a Masonic Service at 3 p.m.  Burial with military rites will follow in the Sandusky Cemetery in Sandusky, IA.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for children.

     On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com

Charles F. Anschutz, funeral, Keokuk, obituary, Pen City Current, veteran, Vigen Memorial Home