Charles "Chuck" Homan

Charles A. "Chuck" Homan, age 75, Wheaton, passed away Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Ortonville Area Health Services in Ortonville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 24, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville with Fr. David Breu and Fr. Stan Wieser officiating. Music will be provided by Diane Vangsness, Ryan Homan, Sue Sykora, and Stacey Borgheiinck.

Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery, Beardsley. Honorary pallbearers will be the Wheaton Car Club. Active pallbearers will be Kris Anderson, Ben Anderson, Ricky Homan, Randy Homan, Anthony Homan, Ryan Homan, Tyler Homan, and Mike Vangsness.

Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville. Visitation will continue Monday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Charles Anthony Homan was born March 31, 1948, the oldest of five children to Anton and Helen (Spindler) Homan in Graceville, MN. He was baptized, confirmed, and a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley. He attended school in Beardsley, graduating from Beardsley High School in 1966. He then went to Alexandria Tech and earned a degree in Sales and Marketing in 1967.

Chuck enlisted in the National Guard in 1967, but then returned home to farm with his dad and later his brothers until the early 2000s. He also worked at Valley Queen, Thompson Oil, and Hoffman Implement; the latter two sparking a lifelong career with cars. In 1977, Chuck began selling cars in Browns Valley, MN, for Bob and Lois Hanson for 25 years. In 2002 he went to the Morris Auto Plaza (MAP) for 12 years working for Joel Krusemark. He retired from his career selling cars in 2014.

One autumn night in 1981, Chuck gave Joan Vangsness a ride to Beardsley after a dance at the Coliseum. The rest was history. He sent Joan a card every single day when they were dating. He even sold her a car, a 1979 Firebird Trans Am. They were engaged in 1983 and married on March 24, 1984, in Graceville. Married for 39 years, one was never seen without the other. Chuck and Joan were the proud parents of three kids: Casey, Chantal, and Lance. Chuck spent lots of time driving around, drifting, selling cars even at church, and forcing family fun nights.

Chuck spent a lot of his free time in and around cars, detailing cars and getting them "shined up," taking day trips and going on rides with his family, and later joining the Wheaton Car Club. He owned 60+ cars over his lifetime. If there was a car auction, Chuck was there.

Chuck still kept busy even in retirement. He worked six years at St. John's Lutheran Church as a handyman, was a Cenex money runner, and always found time to deliver donuts to the grandkids when he could. Being a dad and being a "Papa" to six grandkids meant the world to Chuck.

Chuck was a hardworking, talkative, reliable, persistent, loving Husband, Dad, and Papa. He beat many odds in his multiple cancer diagnoses, treatments, and transplants. Chuck was strong in his faith in guidance, healing, and in times of need; he relied on the power of prayer.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Homan of Wheaton; children, Casey (Jenny) Homan of Morris, Chantal (Travis) Ninneman of Ortonville, and Lance (Kelsi) Homan of Moorhead; grandchildren, Skylar, Ryker, and Nash Ninneman and Paisley, Riggs, and Brax Homan; siblings, Edward (Twila) Homan of Beardsley, Patrick (Cindy) Homan of Beardsley, and Darlene (Wayne) Anderson of Graceville; and sister-in-law, Sandy Homan of Beardsley.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Helen Homan; brother, Kevin Homan; and in-laws, Herman and Helen Vangsness.