Charles "Chuck" Sjostrom
October 12, 1946 ~ April 12, 2026
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Charles Jonas “Chuck” Sjostrom, Jr., 79, of Fargo, ND passed away on April 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, MN surrounded by family. Chuck was born in Valley City, ND the son of parents Charles Sr. and Gladys. Chuck graduated from Valley City High School and was on the golf and basketball teams, where he earned varsity letters. He went on to graduate from Valley City State University with a degree in Education. Following college, he worked as a teaching professional at the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy in Vail, CO before taking a position as a Physical Education teacher at Agassiz Junior High School in Fargo. He went on to work in sales at Fargo Glass and Paint and Fargo Tire Service before embarking on a career in financial services. Chuck opened the E.F. Hutton Financial Services office in Fargo in 1980 and worked as an investment advisor. Later in his career he moved to Investment Centers of America and worked there until his retirement in 2013.
In 1970, he met Kathleen Baker in Moorhead, MN, and they were married later that year. They had two children (Jennifer and Nathan) and enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Chuck was a dedicated family man whose greatest joy was his children and grandchildren.
One of the greatest loves of Chuck’s life was the game of golf. He started playing with his father at age 9. His FCC golf family was especially important to him, spending 40+ summers with some of the group. He thrived on the camaraderie and the competition with this group of guys. The ND Open was special for him, and he played nearly every year from his 20s into his 70s. In 2016, after 61 years of playing the game, Chuck finally got his first hole in one at Briarwood Country Club. That was followed up by a second hole in one at Los Caballeros Golf Club in 2017.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Sjostrom of Long Lake, MN; daughter Jennifer (Matt) Smiley of Orono, MN; son Nathan (Anne) Sjostrom of Mead, CO; grandchildren Cecilia, Xavier, Logan, and Kaitlynne; brother James (Constance) Sjostrom of Marion, IA; and many friends in Fargo and Sun City West, AZ.
He is preceded in death by his parents Chuck Sjostrom, Sr. and Gladys Sjostrom of Valley City.
A memorial service will be held May 14, 2026 at 2:00 at Nativity Catholic Church of Fargo, with a celebration of life to follow from 3:00 to 6:00 at the Fargo Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org or the Memory Café of the Red River Valley (3910 25th St S, Fargo, ND 58104, In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, or the Memory Café of the Red River Valley https://memorycaferrv.org/
Services
Memorial Service: Thursday, May 14, 2026 2:00 pm
Nativity Catholic Church, Fargo
1825 S 11th St.
Fargo , North Dakota 58103
(701) 232-2414
https://www.nativitycatholicchurch.net/
Celebration of Life: Thursday, May 14, 2026 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Charles "Chuck" Sjostrom 's name.
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A lot of fun memories and good golf games with Chuck. The 19th hole was always a good time, too. In spite of stellar golf accomplishments the coveted hole- in- one eluded him for a long time. It finally happened at Briarwood on a long par 3 on a windy day late in his life . What a relief for all his friends that had pulled for him every time we approached a par three encouraging him to get one.!
Got to know Chuck about five years ago when I joined the Weakenders Group. Always enjoyed Chuck’s company and dry humor. Funny, my first impression of Chuck was he must be a grumpy old guy. Reality, was he was a really great guy and very interesting person to get to know over these last five years. He will be missed. Rest in Peace my friend!
I first got to know Chuck through his boyhood pal, Byron Hill. Later worked with him for many years at ICA. Chuck was always quick with a humorous comeback in a group discussion! Great guy and a great golfer.
He will be missed!
Chuck was also my gym teacher in junior high. Ran into him about twenty years ago and had a similar experience. I told him I will always remember his yellow 1969 cougar eliminator parked on the street and how cool that was for a teacher to be driving something like that. Hopefully there’s a par 3 course in heaven that he can add to his list of hole in one’s. Gone to soon. R.I.P.
Chuck will be missed he was a great guy. Rest in peace Chuck.
Love to your family! God Bless
The neighborhood will miss you and your kind smile. Kathy and family, hold on to those memories. Dean and Jenine Selander.
I have many good memories of Chuck since we were both in the same class at VCHS, playing on the basketball and golf teams together. One of Chuck’s better basketball games (we both shared “bench” time) was in the state tournament when he scored some important points for us. More than once, I heard him say on the golf course that “God can’t even hit a 1 iron”. I’m sure he is giving God some golf lessens already. I know he was an excellent golf instructor as his good friend Doug wasn’t known for his golf game in high school, but he became an excellent golfer as an adult and I suspect that happened under Chuck’s tutelage. Chuck will be greatly missed!!!
When we moved to Fargo, Chuck and Kathy instantly made us feel welcomed. We will always carry those wonderful memories with us.
Chuck was not only a terrific golf partner in tournaments but also a true friend to me. One of his skillful golfing attributes was with the pitching wedges. Chuck (also known as “Shooter”) was an absolute magician around the greens. He was SO GOOD at making the golf ball ‘dance’ on the greens. The guys were always amazed at his skill level.
While we are unable to attend the service to hear the great stories, we send these reflections with love and remembrance for a terrific individual.
Rest in peace Chuck.
God Bless, Pam Zane (Al Brundell’s daughter) and family