Charles W. Edwards, also known as “
Wilson
”, was born October 29, 1916, at Reliance, SD, to Charles E. and Karolina (Kohler) Edwards. He received his formal education at Prairie Star rural school near Reliance and at
Reliance
High School
. After high school Charles worked on farms and in 1936 he moved to Wahpeton where he worked for Ottertail Power Company at Kidder Station in the steam plant. He married June Dobricka on January 16, 1939, at
Breckenridge
Methodist
Church
by Rev. F.W. Hill. In 1942, the couple moved to
Marin City
,
CA
, where he worked for the Marinship Corporation. In 1944 they moved back to the
Great Bend
,
ND
, area where they farmed for several years. In 1957, they moved to
Pickstown
,
SD
, where
Wilson
worked at the
Ft.
Randall Powerhouse for the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers in the mechanical maintenance department. In 1962, the couple moved to
Pierre
,
SD
, where he continued working for the Corps at the Oahe Powerhouse in the mechanical maintenance department and the last 10 years as foreman, retiring in February of 1980. In the spring of 1983 the couple moved to Wahpeton, where they have since resided.
Wilson
was a member of
Evergreen
United
Methodist
Church
, Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. Lodge 69,
Lake Andes
,
SD
, and
Wahpeton
Senior
Center
. He enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, national and local news and bowling.
Wilson
is survived by his wife of 71 years, June, Wahpeton; his sister, Lois Hartshorn,
Portland
,
Oregon
; two brothers, Dale (Evelyn) Edwards,
Appleton
,
Wisconsin
, Wayne (Marilyn)
Edwards,
Pardeeville
,
Wisconsin
, brother-in-law, Ernest Nydegger,
Portland
,
OR
, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Harve Edwards, his two sisters, Dorothy Nydegger and Lucille Hanson, a baby brother, Paul, and two brothers-in-law, John Hansen and Elbert Hartshorn.
