Charles Gilbert Komschlies, Col. (Ret.), USA, 89, of Sturgeon Bay, was called Home to be with the Lord, Dec. 17, 2021, at Cardinal Ridge CBRF.

He was born Feb. 17, 1932, in Milwaukee, the son of Gilbert "Gil" Charles Komschlies and Ruth Rachel (Rogers) Komschlies. Charles attended Nathan Hale High School in West Allis and graduated with the class of 1949.

With his heart set on becoming a pastor, he earned his bachelor's degree with a triple major in Bible, classical languages (Latin and Greek), and English (speech) with a minor in history from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1953. He then immediately entered Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., until earning his Bachelor of Theology in 1957 (converted retroactively to Master of Divinity in 1995). While there, he enlisted with the United States Army Reserves on April 11, 1955, to eventually serve as a chaplain.

Shortly thereafter, Charles was united in marriage to Ada "Corrine" Loboda on June 18, 1955.

Charles continued his educational endeavors through graduate coursework at Luther Theological Seminary between 1958 and 1965 for New Testament theology; Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., from 1962 to 1964 to study elementary education; and finally at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis from 1972 to 1977 to finish his master’s degree and nearly complete his doctorate degree.

Charles served as pastor of the congregations at Immanuel Lutheran and Arndal Lutheran, both in Grove City, Minn., and Bethlehem Lutheran in Hills, Minn. He then accepted a position with Augsburg Publishing House in Dec. of 1967 before returning to ministry in 1972 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, Minn. Once he was able to decrease his duties at Immanuel, Charles was able to become an administrator for Hennepin Technical Centers/College (initially located in Eden Prairie, Minn.). Here he developed and supported many secondary, post-secondary and adult educational programs for the community. Charles remained with the United States Army Reserves until entering into active duty with the Army on Sept. 29, 1986. He retired from active duty with the United States Army on Sept. 27, 1991, after being awarded the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal. Charles then returned briefly to his administrative role at Hennepin Technical Centers/College until full retirement.

Earlier in life, he was active in Boy Scouts and was awarded the top achievement of Eagle Scout. While living in Eden Prairie, Charles served as the school board chairman and director for Eden Prairie School District for eight years, was appointed to Minnesota Governor Al Quie's Committee on Family and even co-authored a math book entitled Technical Vocational Mathematics. He always welcomed new challenges, new adventures and appreciated lifelong learning.

Over their many years of marriage, Charles and Corrine were blessed with four children, ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Corrine passed away March 14, 2001.

Charles met Stefanie Jane Sycks through their work at Hennepin Technical Centers/College. They were married on Sept. 26, 1996, at Great Lakes Naval Station, Ill. Charles and Stefanie relocated to Door County, Wis., and made their home in Brussels, Wis. They resided there until Charles moved into Cardinal Ridge CBRF in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. He was a member of Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay.

Charles will be missed by his wife, Stefanie; his children, Kristin McConville of Westminster, Md., Brian (Sharon Druck) Komschlies of Etters, Pa., Craig (Andrea) Komschlies of Minnetonka, Minn., and Joel Komschlies of Olympia, Wash.; grandchildren, Yvonne (Dan) Shealy, Christopher (Rena) McConville, Jeffrey (Kelly) McConville, Trevor (Michaela) McConville, Kyley Komschlies, Keisha Komschlies, Kamila Komschlies, Jonathan Komschlies, Evan Komschlies, and Keaton Komschlies; Stefanie's children, Michael (Jennifer) Don of Naperville, Ill., and Alan (Nancy) Himley of Ramsey, Minn.; grandchildren, Noah Don, Keaton Don, Nick Himley, and Lexi Himley; sister, Kay Nelson of Canton, Ga.; siblings-in-law, Tom (Sue) Sycks of Rochester, Minn., and Melanie (Russ) Lamppa of New Hope, Minn.; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Corrine; son-in-law and daughter-in-law, Tom McConville and Cristi Heitschmidt; siblings-in-law, Hubert Ponzi, Mary "Florence" Ponzi, and James Nelson; and other relatives.

A memorial service was held Dec. 28, 2021, at Bay View Lutheran Church, 340 W. Maple St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Pastor Jeff Greathouse officiating. Charles was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery in Backus, Minn., with military honors.

Memorials may be given as a tribute gift in his name through the Boy Scouts of America (https://donations.scouting.org) or to your local scout troop. 

“Our family would like to express our thanks to the staff of Cardinal Ridge and Compassus Hospice for the kind and compassionate care given to our father.”

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., are assisting the Komschlies family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Charles may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com

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