Obituary of Charles Lindekugel

Born April 19th, 1927 in Highmore, S.D. to Fred and Vera Lindekugel, Chuck spent his youth between Madison, Sioux Falls and Pierre, S.D. where he graduated from High School in 1945. Chuck was a lifelong sports enthusiast, receiving a great deal of instruction and encouragement from his father Fred, a terrific athlete in his own right. Chuck participated in Basketball, Football, Baseball and Track & Field while in high school and was on a State Champion basketball team in 1944 (earning all-state honors his junior and senior years) and a State Championship Track and Field team in 1945. He was inducted into the Pierre Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. Shortly before graduation, Chuck enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. In the fall of 1946 Chuck enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. While in school there, he participated in football, basketball and was a member of the 1948 University of Minnesota National Track and Field National Championship team, throwing both the hammer and discus. Chuck's career began with in California Youth Authority and was deputized in Amador County, CA in 1951. From there, Chuck went on to a career of over 40 years with Harvey's Wagon Wheel at Lake Tahoe, holding numerous supervisory positions and specializing in security and collections. Chuck was a lifetime member of the San Francisco Olympic Club and participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials in both 1952 and 1956. Chuck joined the Professional Cowboys' Rodeo Association in 1961 and participated in calf roping, team roping and bare back riding for more than four decades. He was a life member of both the Professional Cowboys' Rodeo Association and the United States Team Roping Championships. Chuck was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Pioneer, the Volcano Lodge #56, a charter member of the Jackson Elks Lodge 2426, the rotary club of Jackson, a life member of the Amador County Peace Officer's Association, a life member and former President of the Northern California Peace Officer's Association, a life member of the California Peace Officer's Association, a life member of the California Association of Licensed Investigators, a member of the Northern California Fraud Investigator's Association, a vice chairman of the Amador County Secret Witness program and numerous other social and service organizations. Chuck was also at one time or another deputized in no less than seven California and Nevada counties, including several at the same time. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and his lovely wife of 39 years, the former Grace M. Ferretti. Chuck is survived by adoring sisters Carol Ann Novak of Port Angeles, WA, Joan Michaelson of Seattle, WA, Beth Srsen of Sutter Creek, CA and Lenexa, KS, Diana Lindekugel of Tampa, FL and a brother, David Lindekugel of Pierre, SD. He is also survived by 13 nieces and nephews, 35 grand-nieces and grand-nephews and 9 great grand-nieces and great grand-nephews for whom he was an admired giant and wonderful role model. Chuck was fair to all, big or small and he was always quick to extend a helping hand. He was a devoted husband and had a strong Christian faith that was reflected in every aspect of his personal and professional life. His contributions to his community, zest for life, humor, friendship, loyalty and generosity will be greatly missed. Services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the Faith Lutheran Church, Pioneer, CA.