Charles was born Aug. 23, 1938, to Karl Kalkwarf and Alice Sebek Kalkwarf.
He was a twin and was in an incubator at a Lincoln hospital until Dec. 29, then made his trip home to Bladen. He lived there four years and then family made their home in Hallam for three years and then moved to Crete. Charles graduated from Crete High school in 1956. In school, he played baseball, played the cornet and played in band four years and also played in several polka bands. Through the years, he loved to fish hunt and was a boy scout. He loved working with wood, building furniture.
After graduation, he joined the Navy. He was a radio man and also had the honor of playing in the Navy Band and was a fill-in for the Marine Band. After discharge, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Marsh on Aug. 22, 1959, and to this marriage, Jeanne and Debbie were born. Marilyn died from complications after Debbie's birth. Charles then took the girls back to Crete and lived with his mother. Charles drove the Crete and Hallam school buses while going to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, studying for his architecture degree.
During this time, he met Carol Johnson and they were married July 31, 1964, and added to the family was Scott, Carol's son. Charles and Carol decided to move to Washington, so they gathered their family and ended up in Edmonds, Washington. Charles completed his degree there. Two years later, a baby boy, Michael, was born to join the family.
Charles landed a job of building a shopping center in Australia, so he took the offer and the family went for two years. After returning, Charles worked for Pacific Services and then decided to start his own business, Hot Cells, replacing nuclear windows. Charles ran this business until retirement. Charles loved to fish for salmon and would grill the catch for special dinners for family. Charles was very active with his church and led the men's Bible study group for about 60 years.
Charles is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Scott and Gini Lee Kalkwarf. Jeanine and Ken Metz, Debbie Kinzie Michael and Kelly Kalkwarf; twin sister, Marilyn Korbel, Wilber, Anne and William Ierien, Green Bay, Wisconsin; Jim and Barb Kalkwarf, Conover, North Carolina; grandchildren, Katlin Kalkwarf. Jessica Ramey, Daniel Metz, Ethan and Bryan Kalkwarf, Nolan and Brittany Kalkwarf, Chelsea and Brian Flanders Tyler and Spencer Kalkwarf and Lexie and Shopie Kinzie; great-grandchildren, Scarlette, Hazel and Henry Flanders and Sophie and Charles Kalkwarf; and many nieces and nephews
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn (Marsh) Kalkwarf; grandparents, Vac. and Mary Sebek; Frank and Maggie Kalkwarf, parents, Karl and Alice Kalkwarf; and brother-in-law, Alvin Korbel; and nephew, Mark Kalkwarf.
A memorial service was conducted Oct. 28, 2023, at Haller Lake United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington, the church he attended for about 60 years. Memorial contributions may be sent to Carol Kalkwarf, 23104 99th Ave. W., Edmonds WA 98020.
