Charles Lawrence Ciesman

Charles Ciesman, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2023. He was 30 minutes shy of his 91st birthday. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Mathilda and Charles; sisters, Helen Garavalia, Arlene Holmen Dixon, Frances Portz, Madelyn Ihlan, Dorothy Hawkins, Shirley Register, and Emily Radke; nieces and nephews, Louis Garavalia Jr, David Holmen, Ted Holmen, Dawn Register, Jackie Register and Jeff Hawkins. Survived by his brother-in-law, Harold Hawkins and MANY nieces and nephews!, Joyce, Sharon, Jean, and Betsy Garavalia, Karen, Chuck and Mary Holmen, Judy, Kathleen, Gwen, Jim, and Becky Portz, Markie, Kathy, Barbie, Tommy, Jimmy, and Mary Ihlan, Jill, Pam, Polly, and Dianne Hawkins, Scott, Wendy and Danny Register, Robert, Gary, Tom, and Julie Radke. He is also survived by many friends, especially his best friends Lenny and Sue...as sister Shirley would say his "Playmates".
While Charlie never married, he lived a full and vibrant life with more friends that you could count. His nieces and nephews meant more to him than words could describe. Charlie was a very patriotic man. He served in Korea and proudly wore his Korean War Veteran hat wherever he went. He was an American Legion member for 71 years and proudly volunteered at many Lenten Fish Fries. He also was active with Stillwater Voiture 40 & 8 organization. Through the 40 & 8 he proudly helped provide scholarships to many Nursing Students. He retired from Andersen Windows in 1994 after 32 years of employment. He loved to garden and tomatoes were his specialty. Every year he picked out a new variety to try. He generously shared his tomatoes with his many friends and family. His favorite holiday was Christmas and he was very proud of his 80 + Christmas Village houses and his annual Christmas Party. He loved being part of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church family and greeted everyone each Sunday morning from his favorite chair. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 490 N. Fourth St., Bayport, MN 55003 with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Voiture 40 & 8 Nursing Scholarship Fund.