Charlie E. Ruechel, 78, of Adams, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, Iowa. He was surrounded by his family as the Lord took his hand so the family could let him go.

Charlie was born Sept. 8, 1938, in Austin, Minnesota, to Edwin and Mable (Worden) Ruechel. He graduated from Austin High School in 1956. Charlie married Marlene Orth on Sept. 8, 1956, at the Lutheran Church in Glenville, Minnesota. They made their residence south of Austin where he farmed and worked for Wilson Foods in Albert Lea. In 1966, they moved to Adams where they began the family dairy farm. In 1973, he retired from Wilson Foods to pursue farming full time.

He was a member of Crane Community Chapel and past member of the Moose Lodge. In his younger years, Charlie enjoyed going on fishing trips and spending time with his friends from the Rose Creek “social club.” In his later years, Charlie and Marlene loved traveling to many destinations and going on mystery bus trips. It was obvious that he took great pride and joy in building and maintaining the family farm up until the very end. He and Marlene just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September, spending the day with the entire family. Charlie loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He will always be remembered by his many phrases and great stories.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Duane Ruechel; infant sister; and brother-in-law, Duane Orth.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Marlene Ruechel of Adams, Minnesota; children: Cyndy (Kevin) Meyerhofer of Stacyville, Iowa, Randy (Becky) Ruechel, Rochester, Minnesota, Candy (Merritt) Wiste, Adams, Minnesota, Mindy (Gregg) Krebsbach of Stacyville, Iowa, Terry Ruechel of Adams, Minnesota, Shannon (Nancee Koenig) Ruechel of Adams, Minnesota, Shawn (Karen) Ruechel of Adams, Minnesota, Charlie (Beth) Ruechel of Adams, Minnesota, and Marissa Ruechel of Rochester, Minnesota; grandchildren: Shanna and Ryan Sullivan, Natasha, Anastasia, Matthew, Mitchel Meyerhofer, Katie O’Neil, Miranda Ruechel, Lindsay and Brad Sorenson, Dustin, Jeremy and Jess Wiste, Jessica and Jarod Gasteiger, Elisa and Justin Braun, Jill and Mike Malmin, Tony, Nick, Gregg Jr., Josh Krebsbach, Tyler Ruechel, Keagan Koenig, Alex, McKayla, Brittney Ruechel, Sierra, Cameron, Noah, Shane Ruechel, and Ayana Robinson; great grandchildren: Kellan Sullivan, Faith, Casey, Mae, Blake, Isaac, Sawyer, Samuel, Amelia Gasteiger, Cassie, Jason, Danni, Jackson, Jordan, James Braun, Max, Maci, Marco Malmin, Orrin Sorenson, Brynlee, Bryar Wiste; sister-in-law: Lorene Olson, Albert Lea, Minnesota, and three nephews, Todd, Dan, and Steve Orth.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Crane Community Chapel with the Reverend Dale R. Christiansen officiating. Interment will be at Rose Creek Enterprise Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Adams Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday for one hour before the service.