Charles Baxter

BROKEN BOW - Charles Willard Baxter, 79, of Broken Bow passed away Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at Azria Health Broadwell in Grand Island.

A private family graveside service will be Saturday, February 6, 2021. Visitation will be Friday, February 5, 2021 at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow, NE with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.

Charles was born Oct. 6, 1941, in Dunning, NE, to William (Bill) and Irma (Fetters) Baxter.  He grew up on a ranch near Dunning, NE until the family moved to a farm near Broken Bow, NE, in 1949. Charles graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1961. After high school he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Lincoln, NE where he was a sheet metal technician. After leaving the Air Force, he went to work on a pipeline in Pennsylvania where he met his soon to be wife Susan.

On Dec. 16, 1967, he was united in marriage to Susan (Rhoads) in Lehighton, PA. They moved to Broken Bow to spend their lives together. 

Charles worked for the county on the road crew building bridges during the 1970’s. He worked as a carpenter for several contractors in the Broken Bow area before starting his own carpentry business. His wife, Susan, and him worked on many projects in the Broken Bow area. 

He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandpa. He enjoyed making woodworking projects, enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time at the pasture the family owned as well as camping in the Colorado mountains with his son, Joe, and his family.

Survivors include a son, Joseph (Taren) Baxter of Doniphan, NE; a daughter, Stacey (Will) Lauby of Kearney; five grandchildren; a sister, MaryLee Tumbarello; four brothers, Raymond, Billy, Bob, and Rod.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sister Kathy.