Charles 'Chuck' Harty

Funeral services for Charles (Chuck) Francis Harty will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday May 4, 2018 at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 3 at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and again one hour prior at the church. Interment will be at Geneva Cemetery.

Chuck passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 after a courageous fight with cancer over the past seven years. He was 81.

Charles (Chuck) Francis Harty was born November 8, 1936 in Albert Lea to Dennis and Mary (Mattocks) Harty in Albert Lea, MN.

He was the fifth of six children.  He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1955.  After High School, he joined the Navy and served from 1955 to 1963 including 4 years in the Navy Reserve.

After the Navy, he began his career as an Electrician working for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Southern MN which included many residential and commercial electrical assignments in the state.

On March 15, 1986, Chuck married Mary Carol Vogt at Salem Lutheran Church and they celebrated with family and friends at the Eagles Club in Albert Lea, MN.

Chuck was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Much of his time over the past 56 years was involved with the Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E) Aerie #2258.  In 1972, Chuck’s honors started with the Albert Lea FOE #2258 Eagle of the Year.  He then served as Club president in 1974-1975, member of the Albert Lea FOE #2258 Degree team for 35+ years, inducted into the MN State Aerie Hall of Fame in 2006, received the Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award for Albert Lea FOE #2258 in 2007, and in 2008 he received the FOE Award of Merit for his dedication to the annual Cancer Telethons in Southern MN.  Chuck volunteered countless hours living the Eagles motto of ‘People Helping People.’

Chuck loved watching and attending sporting events as he did not miss a football or hockey game while Jason and Brian were in high school.  More recently, he especially loved attending his grandkids activities: hockey games in the winter, dance recitals in the spring, soccer games in the summer and fall, and concerts for band and choir throughout the year.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Mary (Mattocks); his 3 brothers, Richard, Gerald and Ted Harty; brothers-in-law, Bill Barrus and Dale Jensen; and sisters-in-law, Rose Marie (Gerald) Harty and Dorothy Mary Ann (Richard) Harty.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary C (Jensen), of Albert Lea; sons, Jason (Sandra) Vogt of Sartell, MN and Brian (Amy) Vogt of Albert Lea, MN; four grandchildren – Megan Vogt, Marissa Vogt, Conner Vogt and Tia Vogt.  He is also survived by sisters, Mary Rita (Richard) Spellman and Joan Barrus; sisters-in-law, Gail Harty, Sara Anderson, Shirley (Duane) Johnson, Kathy (Ernie) Halvorson; brothers-in-law, John (Bernice) Jensen, George (Val) Jensen, Don (Georjean) Jensen; and many ‘favorite’ nieces and nephews.

Chuck will be greatly missed by all that knew him.  The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the nurses and staff at Mayo Health systems in Albert Lea, Austin and St Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, along with those assisting at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea.  The care that was given Chuck over the past couple of months was genuine, sincere, and heartfelt.  Thank you all for what you do - we are forever grateful.