Charles Sutterfield

Charles M. “Charlie” Sutterfield, age 91, of Perham , MN , died Wednesday, November 18, 2009 , at the Perham Memorial Nursing Home.


Charlie was born April 2, 1918 , in Leslie , AR , the son of William and Lillie (Gregg) Sutterfield. Lillie died when he was five years old and when Charlie was twelve he moved with his father and step-mother to Tulsa , OK. He was united in marriage to Velma Woolsey on February 13, 1936, in Sapulpa, OK. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Charlene and Beverly. They moved to southern California in 1940 and during WWII Charlie worked in a shipyard cleaning mine sweepers for the war effort. In later years he was a carpenter, general contractor and real estate agent. Charlie became a Christian and was baptized with his daughter, Beverly, when she was ten years old. He was always active in the church wherever he lived; serving as trustee, deacon, Sunday School teacher, superintendent or wherever the need was. Charlie was instrumental in several church construction projects. After retiring, he and Velma lived in Yucca Valley , CA , for several years. In 1986 they moved to central California to be near Beverly and her family. In 2000 they relocated to the Ottertail and Perham , MN , areas to be near Beverly and son-in-law, Cliff.



Charlie is survived by his wife of 73 years, Velma, Perham, MN; daughter, Beverly Heschke, Perham, MN; five grandchildren and their spouses; eleven great grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; a brother, Gordon (Marilynne) Sutterfield and a sister, Joan Herzfeldt, both of California; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.



Preceding Charlie in death are his parents; daughter, Charlene; brother, Howard Sutterfield; infant brother, William Sutterfield, Jr.; and son-in-law, Cliff Heschke.