Charles "Chuck" Demo

Charles Leslie “Chuck” Demo passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, at home, surrounded by his family. He was born on November 28, 1940, in Benson, Minnesota, to James Bernard and Alice Nina Demo.

Chuck loved telling the story of his birth — how, during a fierce blizzard, the town doctor drove a horse-drawn wagon five miles out to the family farm to help bring him into the world. Chuck was proudly named after that dedicated doctor, and the name continues through multiple generations of his family.

Chuck honorably served his country in different units of the United States Army from 1959 to 1965, including the 3rd Gun Battalion, 81st Artillery. Following his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles, where he worked for Lockheed Martin and contributed to work on the SR-71 Blackbird. Due to family obligations, he later returned to Minnesota, where he worked for Northern Airmotive and eventually retired from Northwest Airlines in 2002.

Chuck had a deep love for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and traveled to Wyoming and Alaska to pursue those passions. In his later years, he devoted time to restoring a 1947 Ford Flatback, a project he took great pride in.

Above all, Chuck loved his family. He never missed a birthday and cherished every opportunity to celebrate with his children and grandchildren.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, James Bernard and Alice Nina; his brothers, DeWayne, Merlin, Rolland, James, Roger, and Dale; and his sisters, Dorothy and Rosemary.

He is survived by his wife, Aphrodite; his children, Charlyn (Christian) Carnoy of Corcoran, MN; Michele (Robert) Lyrek of North Port, FL; and Charles Jr. (Tina) Demo of Plymouth, MN; his grandchildren, Jamie, Jennifer, Regan, Kyle, Luke, Ben, Logan, Leah, Chloe, Matthew, Sophia, Mila, Tristin, and Bellamy; his great-grandchildren, Madison, Noah, and Nico; his sister, Cheryl; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson, with Pastor Lynn Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Benson City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

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