Charles Albert Van Grinsven, 74, of Forest City, IA, formerly of Minot, died peacefully, surrounded by his family and welcomed by his Savior on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, IA.

Charles was born January 2, 1942 in Onamia, Minnesota to John Peter and Gladys Violet (Braff) Van Grinsven. Charles graduated from Minot High School in 1960 and married his hometown sweetheart, Diane Whisker.

Charles was employed with Montana Dakota Utilities Company for 25 years, acquiring many skills in various positions. In 1988, one of these skills brought him to Groton, Connecticut where he joined General Dynamics, building the Seawolf -class nuclear submarines. Finally returning to the Midwest in 1996, settling in Forest City, Iowa. Charles worked at SIMCO until retiring in 2004.

Throughout his life, Charles was a maker and a planner. As a young boy, the tree fort he built was so elaborate that the fire department cited him for violations of several building codes. However this did not prevent him from later in life, sending away for architectural plans and building a (fully compliant) two-story home for his family.

Charles had a penchant for creatively restoring old cars. Working at a service station as a teenager, he mounted an Oldsmobile engine in a Ford body and could be seen cruising around town in his "Olds-Ord". He later refurbished the rusted shell of a Ford Model T to full working "street-rod" condition. Where others saw only an old bread van, Charles saw a future family camper he would renovate and vacation in.

More fancifully, he constructed and operated a mini-golf course, designing each of Polly Putter's 18 holes with crafty ingenuity. He also built a pontoon boat affectionately named "Little Diane".

Above all these inventive accomplishments, Charles will be remembered for his contagious sense of humor, kind heart, pride in his children and grandchildren, and love for his wife, Diane.

Charles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Diane; their four children and their spouses: Michael and Beth Van Grinsven of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, David and Mary Van Grinsven of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jeffrey and Angela Van Grinsven of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Penelope Van Grinsven and Alex Coppock of New York, New York; and 12 grandchildren all living in the Midwest. Charles is survived by his two siblings and their spouses: John and Barbara Van Grinsven of Minot, North Dakota and Eileen and Keith Jacobson of Spokane, Washington. He is also survived by his aunt Clara May Hartung of Crosby, Minnesota and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Charles is preceded in death by his father, John Van Grinsven, his mother, Gladys Van Grinsven, and his aunt, June Braff.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 25, 2016, at the Thomas Family Funeral Home with Rev. Luther C. Hanson officiating.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND
Visitation: Friends and family will be received for visitation at the Thomas Funeral Home, 304 Main Street South, Minot, ND on Sunday, April 24th from 12pm-4pm.