Charles Naplin of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2022 surrounded by his loving family at Hillcrest Senior Living.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM on Friday, April 29, 2022 at Black River Lutheran Church rural Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverend Frank Ehling and Reverend Sheila Michaels Officiating.  Burial will be held at Black River Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 5 – 8 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN and also one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Charles Eric Naplin was born November 28, 1940, in Crookston, MN son of Edgar and Margaret (Strandell) Naplin. He was baptized in Crookston, MN at Trinity Lutheran Church and confirmed at St. Hilaire Evangelical Lutheran Church. The family moved to Albert Lea, MN and in 1951 they moved back to rural Red Lake Falls, MN. Charles graduated in 1959 from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, MN. He furthered his education at Gustavus Adolphus, and the University of Minnesota.

In 1963 he entered the US Army and served his country as a communication specialist stationed in Hawaii until he was discharged from active duty in 1965.  He then continued his service in the US Army Reserves until his honorable discharge on September 30, 1969.

Following his discharge from active duty, he continued his education at UND receiving a degree in Geology in 1967.

On November 15, 1968, he was united in marriage to Mabel Schwede in Beulah, ND. To this union there were two sons Brian and Scott. He went to work for the ND Water commission as a ground minerologist in Bismarck, ND. In 1975 they moved back to rural Thief River Falls, MN to farm with his father and brother. In 1991 he retired from farming. He was an insurance salesman for Bray Gentilly Mutual, served as Pennington County Commissioner from 1993 to 2010, served on the MCIT State board from 1997 - 2010. Served on the St. Hilaire elevator board, Black River Church Council and Polk Centre Township board. In April of 2001 Mae passed away after her courageous battle with cancer.

On November 29, 2003, he was united in marriage to Sharon Kuester at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. They continued to live on the farm in rural Thief River Falls. The couple enjoyed traveling, fishing, working side by side with Sharon on the farm. Charles was a cofounder and member of the Thief River Falls Model Railroad Club, he was very artistic and enjoyed creating and building on his model railroad layout, he also enjoyed collecting Tonka Toys and refurbishing them, along with antique tractors. Charles took a lot of pride in his family and farm and had an outstanding work ethic.

Charles is survived by his wife Sharon of Thief River Falls, MN, sons Brian of Monticello, MN and Scott of Big Lake, MN; granddaughter Kimberly Naplin of West Fargo, ND; step-daughters Paulette (Gary) Casavan, Fay (Dan) Struthers both of Red Lake Falls, MN; step-son Dennis (Mikaela) Kuester Jr. of Keaau, Hawaii; step-grandchildren Brenden Casavan, Michaela (Kevin) Longtin, Wyatt Casavan, Joshua Casavan, Gabby Casavan, and Pacey Struthers; step-great-grandchildren Kylie and Drake Casavan; Halli Jo Longtin; along with several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Mae; parents Edgar and Margaret, brothers David Naplin, Robin Naplin, and Mark Naplin.