Charles John Zaugg

Charles John Zaugg was born on Christmas Day, 1931 in Wahoo, Nebraska to Alvin and Alice (Thomas) Zaugg. He grew up on the family farm, attended District 10 country school and graduated from Yutan High School in 1948. As a young boy, Charley spent most of his time helping around the farm and caring for his horse named Lady. He also enjoyed roller skating. Charley served his country during the Korean War. Charley married Lona Scoles and they were blessed with a son, Mitch. Charley married Donna Fritz and they were blessed with three sons: Rick, Gregg and John. Donna passed away in 1985 and Charley married Frances Timm in 1988. Charley always made his home near Yutan, first on the farm beginning in 1955; and moving to town in 2008. Charley was a lifelong farmer, working the soil of the family farm for over 50 years. He enjoyed trap-shooting, traveling, attending cattle sales and was an accomplished wood carver. Later in life when Charley’s health was starting to fail, he invented a lift to raise himself into the tractor and combine, which allowed him to farm for several more years. His invention was featured in a national farm magazine, and he still continued to receive calls recently from people all over the country wanting the blueprints. He always laughed that he never had any plans drawn up on paper; it was all stored in his head. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, V.F.W., and served on the Yutan Country Club Board. He received his 60-year certificate as an American Legion member in January 2015. Charley was a quiet, patient man with a knack for telling stories. He enjoyed socializing whether it was at Jeris’ Cafe or at Rich’s bar. Charley enjoyed a good steak, a cold beer and dinner out at the Longbranch in Leshara. Being a patient man, he could often be heard saying “Let’s just wait and see what happens”. Charley passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2015 (Father’s Day) at the Nye Legacy in Fremont, Nebraska at the age of 83 years 5 months and 27 days. He was preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Alice and his wife Donna. Charley is survived by his wife Frances; sons Mitch of Mead, NE; Rick of Los Angeles, CA; Gregg of Leshara and John of Yutan; 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law Wes and Pat of Yutan; sister and brother-in-law Lois and Ron Dawson of St. Louis, MO.

Charles John Zaugg

December 25, 1931 - June 21, 2015