Charles William Stelling, one of three children of Carl and Frieda (Malchow) Stelling, was born May 9, 1936, in Columbus, Nebraska. He attended grade school in Pierce and Bancroft, and graduated from Concordia High School in Seward, Nebraska. Charles went on to earn a degree in elementary education from Concordia College, and would later receive his Masters in Library Science from the University of Minnesota.
On June 14, 1959, Charles was united in marriage to Charlottte Eickmann in Wichita Falls, Texas. They lived briefly in Leavenworth, Kansas, before returning to Nebraska. The couple would be blessed with five children: David, Jonathan, Karla, Suzanne, and Theresa.
Charles began his career in education at the elementary school in Leavenworth, Kansas. He later was librarian at Wayne State College in Nebraska. In 1989, Charles accepted the librarian position at Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri, and he moved his family from Wakefield to Auburn, Nebraska. After retirement Charles and Charlotte remained in Auburn.
Upon moving to Auburn, Charles became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, and he was very active in the church. He was instrumental in the major renovation the church underwent, and was the Chair of the committee, which started Kids of HIS Kingdom daycare.
In his spare time he enjoyed tinkering, woodworking, volunteering, and finished many projects for family and friends. Most of all, the Lord was center of his life and through his example others came to know the Lord.
On Monday, August 1, 2016, Charles passed away suddenly at his home in Auburn. He had reached the age of 80 years, 2 months, and 23 days. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter, Carmen.
Charles is survived by his wife Charlotte of Auburn; sons David of Auburn, Jonathan and wife Renae of Nebraska City; daughters and sons-in-law Karla and Mark Schlimgen of Eau Claire, WI, Suzanne and John Chenoweth of Whitewater, WI, Theresa and Jason Gosnell of Omaha; 9 grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law John and Katie Stelling of Bastrop, TX; sister and brother-in-law Gretchen Stelling and Arvin Bradley of Logan, UT; many other relatives and friends.
Memorials suggested to Kids of HIS Kingdom.