Charles William Stoltenberg, age 85 of Clinton, passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Christ Episcopal Church. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 6:00 PM Friday at the Pape Funeral Home and from 10:00 AM until the service time Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff Mandershied, Bob Birkett, Ray Birkett, Randy Gilbert, Walter Metzger, and Creighton Regenwether. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
Charles was born August 23, 1936, in Clinton, Iowa to William E. and Ada Hulse Stoltenberg. He graduated from Lyons High School in 1954 and attended Clinton Community College. He married his high school sweetheart, Maudie Ellen Phelan in 1955.
Charles worked shifts at DuPont for 6 years, then worked 4 years at Glew and Jensen as a mechanic. He went to Hawkeye Chemical Company as a maintenance mechanic and foreman. He left there and went to Chemplex as a high-density maintenance supervisor. He left there in 1971 and joined Union Pipefitter Local 387 in Davenport, IA. He worked for various contractors in the Davenport and Clinton area, retiring in 1996. He owned and operated Stoltenberg Precision Welding until his death. Charles was a life-long member of Christ Episcopal Church. He enjoyed scuba diving for 25 years in Cozumel, Mexico. He enjoyed traveling, boating, fishing, and reading.
He was an excellent mechanic and fabricator. He was a hard worker and held himself to a high standard in all aspects of life. He was modest about his own accomplishments. He was a tough taskmaster and did not suffer fools. Patience was not a virtue. But he had a soft side. He had a wealth of knowledge and was always willing to share it.
He is survived by his wife, Maudie of Clinton, a son, William C. Stoltenberg (Denise) of Leesburg, FL, and two daughters, Christi L. Ellwood (Don) of Libby, MT, and Susan E. Carleton of Spring, TX, five grandchildren, Emily Ellwood, Jim Ellwood (Libby), Charles D. Stoltenberg (Katie), Sarah R. Clough and Noah D. Clough, and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice.
Chuck was one very talented man that will be greatly missed. Very sorry for your loss.
Dear Maudie, you probably don’t know me as I knew Chuck from his shop. I first met him back in the 80’s when he modified my boat transom that looked as it came that way from the factory. I was later the maintenance supertintent at Haweye and knew of Chuck’s repution there as he had left prior to my joining Haweye. Chuck had my utmost respect as a person and as a craftsman. Whatever he did he was an artist at it. The loss of knowledge that was lost with Chuck’s passing is irreplacable. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and you family.
Steve Johnson
The Riddle – (Adapted For My Father) Song by Five For Fighting
There was a man back in ‘22,
whose heart ran out of summers,
but before he died,
I asked him, “Wait, what’s the sense in life?”
Come over me, come over me.
He said, “Son why you got to sing that tune?
Catch a Dylan song, or some eclipse of the moon.
Let an angel sing and make you swoon,
Then you will see, you will see.”
Then he said:
“Here’s a riddle for you, find the answer.
There’s a reason for the world,
You and I.”
Picked up my kid from school today,
Did you learn anything?
‘Cause in the world today
you can’t live in a castle far away.
Now talk to me, talk to me.
He said “Dad I’m big, but we’re smaller than small
In the scheme of things, well, we’re nothing at all.
Still every mother’s child sings a lonely song
So play with me, come and play with me.”
And hey Dad, here’s a riddle for you,
find the answer.
There’s a reason for the world.
You and I.
I said “Son, for all I’ve told you
When you get right down to the reason for the world
Who am I?”
There are secrets that we still are left to find.
There have been mysteries from the beginning of time.
There are answers we’re not wise enough to see.
He said, “You’re looking for a clue?
I love you free.”
The batter swings and the summer flies,
As I looked into my father’s eyes,
The song played on while the moon was high.
Come over me, something came over me.
I guess we’re big and I guess we’re small,
If you think about it man, you know we got it all.
‘Cause we’re all we got on this bouncing ball
And I loved you free, I loved you freely.
Here’s a riddle for you.
Find the answer.
There’s a reason for the world.
You and I.
I am so sorry to hear about Chuck. I will be out of town this Friday and Saturday but wanted you to know I will be praying for you and the family. May God’s peace and comfort surround during this time. Hugs
Maudie, wishing you peace and comfort in this time of sorrow.
Kirby & Becky
Dear Maudie, I sure have been thinking of you and sending so much love. Chuck really lived a rich, full life! I’m sending you my wish for peace and comfort in the upcoming days.
Love, Carol