Charles “Chuck” Lessard, born Charles James Lessard on January 30th, 1949 to parents, Charles E. and Marian Lessard in International Falls, MN, passed away at his home on January 15th, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. In Chuck’s early years, he attended St. Thomas parochial school from 1st through 8th grade. He then transferred to Falls Junior High and began his education in the public school system. While in high school he played baseball and was the lead singer in the Minor D’s band and has fond memories of playing at the Friday night dances. He graduated from high school in 1967. After high school, Chuck went to Duluth, MN and attended Duluth Area Institute of Technology, now referred to as Lake Superior College, to pursue a degree in Marketing.
Prior to graduating with his Associate Degree, he was drafted into the United States Army.
Chuck returned to International Falls after college graduation and worked at Boise Cascade until being inducted into the Army. He always remembered the advice of his father before leaving, “don’t volunteer for anything, do what you’re told, and keep your mouth shut”. He then went on to basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. Once he finished basic training, he was sent to Fort Gordon, Georgia and placed in Military Police School. While there, he and a select few were chosen to be in the Army Security Agency (ASA). He was then stationed over in Germany where he waited for his top secret crypto clearance to come through. Once receiving his clearance, he was sent to Mount Meissner on the East German border to monitor the Russians and East Germans. He served his country proudly until being honorably discharged in the spring of 1973.
Chuck returned to International Falls and went back to work at Boise Cascade, but having his background in Military Police, decided to pursue Law Enforcement. While looking for full-time work, Chuck met the love of his life, Louise Dion. They were married in 1974. Chuck later took the Civil Service test and was hired part-time by the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Department in 1974. He worked at both Boise and the Sheriff’s Office until he was hired full-time with the Sheriff’s Office in 1976.
Chuck and Louise made their home in International Falls where they raised their three children. Chuck played slow pitch softball for a number of years before calling it quits when his kids got older. He continued his involvement in sports, coaching Little League or being involved with his kids’ activities whenever he could. He encouraged his kids to be involved in competition and tried to never miss an opportunity to see them succeed. Chuck was especially proud of his daughter who completed Grandma’s Marathon in 2017. Chuck loved the outdoors and his favorite time of year was the fall and hunting season. He would arrange trips to the hunting shack for his family on weekends and absolutely loved teaching his two boys to hunt. Chuck took up golfing upon retiring from the Sheriff’s Office in 2002. He played for years with his closest friends until he no longer could.
In June of 2021, Chuck received his biggest bucket list wish by traveling with his family and friends out to South Dakota to go camping, four-wheeling, and sightseeing for a week in the Black Hills. When things got tough and he was asked what he wanted out of his remaining time, he said he wanted nothing more than to spend it with his wife and family. Chuck spent his remaining time by his wife’s side who he called his Guardian Angel. His family gathered for holidays and visited with him as much as possible until his time was up. He loved life and fought right up to the end.
Chuck wanted to thank his wonderful friends and family for the great memories and being there for him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marian Lessard.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Louise (Dion) Lessard of International falls; his three children, son Matt Lessard of International Falls, son Mitch (Liz) Lessard of International Falls and daughter Kari (Cory) Waling of Lancaster, MN. He has eight grandchildren, Brittany, Cody, Breanna, Phoenix, Kasey, Kendall, Aftin and Jaevin, five great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Sister Judy Louhi of Hibbing, MN.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 2:00 pm at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Interment will be at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.
