Charles W. Strong

Charles was born December 13, 1948, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, to Gladys Ruth (Ingalls) and Neal Dow Strong. He grew up in Chetek, Wisconsin, the second of four boys, shaped by small town life and his family. His older brother, Dewitt Strong (and spouse Julie) set an example of musical and academic excellence. Stuart (and spouse Linda) brought fun and laughter into childhood quests. The youngest, Wayne (and spouse Virginia) always brought reason to every adventure. In between required daily practice on piano, organ and a brass instrument; the four boys somehow still managed to find plenty of time for shenanigans.

While still in high school, Charles earned a summer intensive studying piano at UW–Madison’s Music Department for his performance of the Brahms Rhapsody in G minor at Solo and Ensemble. Charles graduated from Chetek High School in 1966 and went on to major in history and minor in music at UW–Eau Claire. He enjoyed playing piano for opera rehearsals, singing in the Singing Statesmen and University Choir, and advancing his piano skills alongside his studies. His ministry actually began early, when he was asked to preach in small Northwest Wisconsin communities on Sundays while he finished his bachelor's degree.

On January 31, 1970, Charles married Linda Knutson, who was his high school piano duet partner and prom date. Charles earned his Master of Divinity at Garrett Theological Seminary in 1974, but he never confused divinity with distance. He was ordained first as a Deacon and later as an Elder in the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served communities across Wisconsin, including Randolph and Courtland, Spencer and Colby, Madison’s Bashford United Methodist Church, Elk Mound and Iron Creek, Black River Falls and Trout Run, Rice Lake and Canton, and finally Antigo, before retiring in 2012. Wherever he served, he carried with him a gift for making church feel like family; the ability to make people feel at home, included, and aware of God’s presence in the laughter and work of the church.

Charles and Linda raised two children in the communities they served. Kirsten married Kurt Hornby and had two children, Oliver (17) and Claire. They reside in Wausau, WI, although Claire died on September 8, 2020, from DMG, a cancerous brain tumor. Michael married Clementina Tripodi, and they live in Akron, Ohio. Charles and Linda also served as year-long exchange parents of Laura (Spain), Katja (Germany), Vadym (Ukraine), Tanya (Russia), and Zarlashta (Afghanistan).

Outside the church walls, Charles lived with the same enthusiasm. He served as a Scout leader in Randolph and Spencer, worked as a community representative for AFS in Madison, volunteered with the Lions and the Red Cross, and worked on the Wisconsin Conference Board of Camp and Retreat Ministries. He was a Free Mason, a Shriner, a community builder, and always—always—a storyteller.

In his retirement, Charles was the self-proclaimed President of the John Marshall Elementary School Grandparents Association. His duties included daily playground supervision of his grandchildren, Oliver and Claire Hornby, and encouraging the school staff. He never passed up an opportunity to go on an adventure with his family, whether it be attending a concert, sporting event or joining in on an epic road trip to National Parks with his grandchildren. He also spent many hours meandering local trails with his dogs: Eve, Abby, and Zillah.

He died in hospice care at Mount View Care Center in Wausau, Wisconsin on August 22, 2025, at 3:25 a.m. after a summer fighting thymic adenocarcinoma. Having lived 76 full years, he is survived by those who loved him, those who learned from him, and those who will forever hear his voice in the stories they now tell. Charles will be buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Chetek, Wisconsin, at a later date; returning home to the town that first shaped him.

If you wish to honor him, join us on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at First Wausau United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Bring a story and share it freely. Tell it with kindness, a touch of mischief, and a little more laughter than the facts allow. That was Charles’ way—

Memorials can be directed to The Cure Starts Now, in hope of finding the “Homerun Cure” for all cancers https://p2p.thecurestartsnow.org/971 or Wisconsin United Methodist Camps, attn. Nick Coonen W8301 City. Rd. M, Westfield, WI 53964.