Charles Carl Perpich "Carlie"

Charles Carl Perpich “Carlie”, age 99 of Ironton and Lester Prairie died on May 10, 2020 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Carl was on May 29, 1920 in Crosby to George and Kathryn Perpich of Croatia.  He was baptized on July 4, 1920 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church by Fr. S. Fredrick.  He was the youngest of six children.  Carl graduated from the Crosby-Ironton High School, Class of 1938, the Crosby Junior College in 1940 and the College of St. Thomas, St. Paul in 1947.  Carl enlisted in the USMC 1942-1946, earning the rank of 1st Lieutenant.  He was in active duty on the front lines (volunteered 3 times) as he fought at the battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific Theater in WWII.  He married the love of his life Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Jerviss from Aitkin on April 11, 1953.  They had six children.  They purchased the Spina Hotel in 1953.  Together with a friend started the company, Garland Manufacturing.  Carl loved basketball and dancing.  He played basketball in high school, college and in the Marines.  He truly loved playing with his children, grandchildren, and local kids.  Many whom he mentored throughout the years.  He played basketball 2 times a week at the local gym until he was 86 years old.  Carl never missed a Crosby-Ironton basketball game.  He enjoyed watching the youth play.  In his later years he moved to Lester Prairie with his daughter Christine and her family, where he also made his mark.  Carl loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, parties, and hanging around with new and old friends and of course any dancing events as well.  He made many new friends and loved the beauty and kindness of the community.  He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby, a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Winsted, founding member of the Ironton Commercial Club and a member of the Myrin-James American Legion Post, 443 of Ironton.

Carl lost the love of his life Betty in 1983.  He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather.  He was loved greatly by his children and families endlessly all through his 99 years of life.  He was known for his generosity and kindness in the community.

Carlie is survived by his children:  Carlene (Bruce) Berg of Fargo, ND, Cathleen (Patrick) McCoy of Menomonie, WI, Paul (Sandra) Perpich of Crosby, Tom Perpich of Brainerd, Carolyn Perpich of Crosby and Christine (Jon) Wolter of Lester Prairie; grandchildren, Luke Taylor, Neil (Jo) Taylor, James Webster, Stephanie (Pete Huff) McCoy, Tar McCoy, Nicholas (Tracy) Perpich, Matthew (Megan) Perpich, Kendra Perpich, Korbyn Perpich, Margret Rossing, Holdin Rossing, Charles Rossing, Caydin Wolter, Warren Wolter, and Carly Wolter; great grandchildren, Brenden Taylor, Alyssa Taylor, Collin Taylor, Nathan Perpich and Parker Perpich; great-great grandchildren, Landyn Donley and Scarlett Donley.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby.  Burial will be at the Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby with full military honors presented by the Myrin-James American Legion Post.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.