Charles D. Nyberg, 86, of Phoenix, Arizona, lost his battle with cancer and passed over peacefully early in the morning of Feb. 1, 2017.

Charles was born Aug. 6, 1930, in Henning, Minnesota, to his parents, Carl and Mayme Nyberg. At the age of 17 he joined the Air Force and served his country for six years.

After the military, he attended college and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor of science degree in law and then completed his juris doctor degree, graduating in 1959. He was hired by the Hormel Foods Corporation in Austin, Minnesota, as an attorney in their law department. He was employed by Hormel for 31 years and when he retired he was senior vice president/general counsel/secretary. He was a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. He was also a director of the Hormel Foundation and director for Jennie-O Foods Company. After retirement he continued as a director of the Hormel Foundation for another five years. Also during his career he was chairman, director, or president of numerous local, state and national organizations.

He was a dedicated and loving father and husband and would always find time for family. He worked very hard at whatever he set his mind to do. He always had a wonderful smile and a hug for everyone. He was passionate about politics and many times worked behind the scenes saying he didn’t care if he got credit as long as the job got done.

He was a devout Christian man. He would acknowledge that his success was a gift from his creator for which he was always thankful and grateful. Charles was a member of the Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Charles is survived by his wife, Mary, of 38 years; his children, Debi (Mike) Loud, Fernandina Beach, Florida, James (Julie) Nyberg, Rochester, Minnesota, Thomas (Jody) Nyberg, Waseca, Minnesota, Chris (Mary Ellen) Nyberg, Lawrence, Kansas, and Sarah (John) Nyberg, Cave Creek, Arizona; grandchildren, Jenica (Todd) Holmberg, Josiah Nyberg, Katlin Nyberg, and Thomas Nyberg, Rochester, Rachel Nyberg, St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Kristen and Jake Sanders, Lawrence, Kansas; and three great-grandsons, Xander, Jaxon and Ryker Homberg, Rochester.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at Living Water Lutheran Church, 9201 E. Happy Valley Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Memorials preferred to LWLC, Hospice of the Valley, or Sagewood Residents Foundation.