Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
Missouri Valley, Iowa
Family would like to invite everyone back to church for a time of lunch and fellowship following the committal
With deep sorrow and profound gratitude for a life well-lived, we announce the passing of our beloved Deacon Charles E. Wolford.
Deacon Charlie Wolford, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, went home to the Lord on Nov. 3, 2024, on the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo, his patron saint. He passed away peacefully at home in Redondo Beach, surrounded by family and friends.
Born in Omaha, Neb., on Sept. 9, 1926, to Leo and Lucille Wolford, Charlie was the third of five children. He graduated from Holy Name High School, became a daily Mass attendee, and joined the U.S. Navy at 17, serving during WWII and the Korean War. Afterward, he studied at Creighton University.
Charlie married Gurina Anne Larsen at St. Peter’s Church in Omaha on May 1, 1954. They raised six children—Joe, Mary, Tom, Annemarie, Bill, and Mark—and were blessed with six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He worked for Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha and later for Chicago North Western Railroad in Missouri Valley, retiring after 40 years. Charlie was ordained as a Permanent Deacon on Oct. 9, 1993, and served for 31 years. He was the first Deacon of St. Patrick’s Church in Missouri Valley and also served as a hospital chaplain. Charlie started Meals on Wheels in Missouri Valley and helped establish the Rand Community Center.
An avid cyclist, Charlie participated in Ragbrai from 1987 to 2005, raising awareness for various causes. At 80, he did mission work in Central America with the Maryknoll Fathers.
In his later years, Charlie moved to Redondo Beach, Calif., to live with his daughter Annemarie and son-in-law Bob. He served as a deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, assisting at St. James Church and with the Carmelite Sisters. He also participated as a Deacon at Fatima, Lourdes, and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. At 96, he traveled to Washington, D.C., on the Honor Flight as a WWII and Korean War Veteran.
Charlie lived a full and blessed life, devoted to his family, faith, and community.
6 Comments
Charlie was such a nice guy. He worked with my dad on the railroad .our sincere condolences to all.
John and Leia Johnsen and family
If your soul had wandered off the path, Uncle Charlie was that lighthouse, that beacon of light to lead you back to the light.
We were so very lucky to have the parents we did.
Uncle Charlie was such a sweet man. I have so many great memories of our times visiting Gurina and Charlie and.all the fun Wolford cousins. May he rest in eternal peace heaven. God bless all his family who will miss him greatly. Love Trish, Pete and Lily
I have so many fond memories of Charlie, Gurina and my fun cousins. I am thinking of them all and missing those days. We were lucky to be part of such a big family with wonderful parents, aunts and uncles to show us the way. Charlie is an inspiring example of courage and generosity. Rest in peace. Love to all my cousins.
Sorry for your loss and sorry I couldn’t come but am sick so probably good I didn’t. Uncle Charlie was a great man and he will be missed.Very nice service and nice to see you all singing.Sldo glad the weather warmed up for this event God bless you all 🙏
I don’t see my condolences so sending another Sorry I wanted to see my cousins but not feeling good so probably
Wouldn’t have made it if I tried.Wad nice service and loved that you all could contribute your music.There aren’t people like Mom Gurina and Dr Paulette around anymore and your Dad glad we all grew up with them.We had some good times! God bless you all 💞
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