Charles L. Chapel

Charles "Charlie" Chapel, lovingly known to many as "Papa," age 88, of Houston, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Charlie was born on October 27, 1937, to Kenneth and Dolly Chapel. He graduated from Houston High School in 1955 and proudly served in the Army National Guard while still in high school.

On October 22, 1960, Charles married the love of his life, Donna Frauenkron, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church. Together they shared 66 wonderful years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, and farming.

Charles worked briefly for AMC in Milwaukee before returning home to pursue his true calling. From the age of 22 until 88, he dedicated his life to farming. Alongside Donna, they owned and operated Hog City Farms in Money Creek, Minnesota for 66 years. Charlie took immense pride in their farrow-to-finish hog operation, milking cows, and planting crops. Farming was not just his livelihood, it was his passion and legacy.

A devoted member of his community, Charlie served on the Money Creek Cemetery Board, the Money Creek Town Board, and as a Houston police officer. He was also one of the founding members of the group that built the first Houston Hoedown Tractor Pulling track at the fest grounds.

Charlie had a lifelong love of motorsports. As a tractor puller, he was known as "The Legend," often arriving at events with "Rusty," his beloved 1937 CC Case tractor. Whether pulling tractors or racing stock cars, he was known as a master at balancing weights. As a stock car driver, he raced in Car 105, 4C, and 8 Ball.

Some of Charlie's favorite moments were spent with family at the campground, enjoying campground breakfasts cooked on the “big flatty”, Friday night pudgie pies around the campfire, and watching Jeff make Jiffy Pop popcorn over the fire, creating years of laughter. He also took great delight in finding wherever Donna had hidden her homemade baked goods, though she was never especially good at hiding them.

Of all the titles Charlie held throughout his life, the ones he treasured most were "Dad" and "Papa." He deeply loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with his family.

Charles is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Donna Chapel; his children, Laurie (Paul) West, Christopher (Janet) Chapel, Donald (Melanie) Chapel, and Karen (Jeff) Gerdes, all of Houston; his bonus sons, Brad Holland and Matt Lynch; 15 grandchildren, Rebecca Albrecht of Hokah, Katie (Jed) Kappauf of Houston, Laura (Cody) Burroughs of Preston, Sarah (Cody) Albrecht of Houston, Jennifer (Carter) Albrecht of Houston, Erin (Jacob) Johnson of Winona, Heather (Ben) Weber of La Crosse, Amber (Travis) Mitchell of Blair, Curtis (MacKenzie) Chapel, Daren (Kay) Chapel, Brandon Chapel, Emma (Justin) Chapel, Izzy (Cooper) Green, Evelyn Gerdes, and Jase Gerdes all of Houston; and 15 great-grandchildren, Tyler (Tiffany) Albrecht, Aaron Lynch, Colin Lynch, Madasen Lynch, Ethan (Kailee) Kappauf, Brodie Kappauf, Caleb Kappauf, Oliver Kappauf, Nora Burroughs, Waylon Burroughs, Stenson Burroughs, Lucas Carpenter, Abilene Johnson, and Josephine Johnson.

He is also survived by his siblings, Kathryn Witt, Victor Chapel, and Marion (Richard) Nelson; many nieces and nephews; his in-laws, Arlyn "Brown" (Susan) Frauenkron, Marilyn Bayer, and Sandy Ask; and special friends, Lowell Goss, Bryan Forsyth, and Tom Kubiak.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Dolly Chapel; his brothers, Kenny Marvin Chapel; his father and mother-in-law, Merton and Dora Frauenkron; his brothers-in-law, Mark Witt, Duane Frauenkron, Thomas Bayer, and Terry Ask; his sister-in-law, Lois Frauenkron; and his special companions, Princess, the family dog, and Rudy, the ring-necked pheasant.

Charles will be remembered for his hard work, quick wit, generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to his family, friends, and community.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crescent and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Military honors will be held at church immediately following services. Burial will take place at Money Creek Cemetery.