Charles E. Jahren, 92, of Austin, Minnesota, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems Hospital, Austin, Minnesota.

Charles Edward Jahren was born Dec. 19, 1923, at Austin, Minnesota, the son of Edward Theodore and Maud Florine (Harden) Jahren. Charles graduated from Austin High School in the class of 1942. He graduated from the Austin Junior College in 1944 and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering and received his MA degree from the University of Minnesota College of Education. Charles was married to Ida Mae Guild at the Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, Minnesota, on June 20, 1953. The Jahrens made their home in Austin where Charles was a Physics and Mathematics instructor at the Austin Community College. He also worked in data collection with the Minnesota Geological Survey and as a Physicist with the US Geological Survey.

Charles was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he had held all positions and offices, including Sunday school teacher, church treasurer, Clerk of Session, Session member and Deacon.

Charles loved being outdoors, whether it was camping and hiking, playing tennis, or simply pedaling his bike to work. During his summer job as a geologist, he would bring his entire family to live in Denver, Colorado, where he used the surrounding mountains to give his children private geology lessons. As his children grew, their adventures gave him an excuse to visit them in New York City, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, and Australia. The freedom of retirement meant that he and Ida could travel often to Europe to visit friends and see sights in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland. However, his favorite trips were to Norway, where he reconnected with relatives from the old country and sailed across the Arctic Circle.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and sister Etheleen Donovan.

He is survived by his wife, Ida Mae Jahren, Austin, Minnesota; children, Charles Theodore and Jean Jahren, Ames, Iowa, Craig Robert and Megheen Jahren, St. Paul, Minnesota, Neal Richard Jahren, St. Paul, Anne Hope Jahren and Clint Conrad of Oslo, Norway; grandchildren, Daniel E. Jahren and Patrick N. Jahren both of Los Angeles, California, Matthew W. Jahren, St. Paul, and Charles Jahren Conrad, Oslo, Norway; cousin, Anna Aschehaug Fortun and family Kristine Vadet and children Martin, Marit and Oystein; Paul Fortun; Jens Fortun and son Matthias, all of Norway.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael Olmsted officiating. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the church for one hour before the service on Thursday morning. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the Riverland Community College Foundation.