CHARLES JOSEPH GRANT

Charles Joseph Grant, 79, of Fort Dodge, died on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home after a long fight with pancreatic cancer. A time of gathering for family and friends will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Fort Dodge.

Charles Joseph Grant, the son of Rueben and Marie (Kautzky) Grant, was born February 15, 1943, in Fort Dodge. He attended Corpus Christi and St. Edmond Schools in Fort Dodge and graduated from St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, in 1961. The following year, Charles married Karen Steinhoff. The couple made their home in Fort Dodge and in March of 2002, Karen preceded him in death. Charles later met Dianne Krebs.

He worked at the local Sears Store and in 1968 began his career with the Fort Dodge Fire Department. He also owned Grant Construction. Over his career, Charles remodeled homes and built many new homes in Fort Dodge. He was a certified scuba diver and was one of the first Rescue and Recovery Scuba Divers for the Fort Dodge Fire Department. Charles retired in 1998 as Fire Chief from the FDFD, after serving 30 years.

Charles was a Certified Hot Air Balloon Pilot. He loved his many balloon flights around the area and being part of The National Balloon Classic in Indianola. He also took many fishing trips to Canada and South Dakota and enjoyed being involved in the organization of the Great Walleye Weekend at Lake Okoboji. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Fort Dodge.

Charles is survived by his wife, Dianne Krebs; his three sons, Scott (Diane) Grant of Crystal Lake, Illinois, Kevin Grant of Eagan, Minnesota, and Ryan (Crista) Grant of Johnston, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Joshua, Nicole, Conor, Summer, River, Lauren, Morganne, Reid, and Josh Naatjes; three great-grandchildren, Airys Grant, Joel and Elayna Naatjes. He is also survived by his two sisters, MaryAnn (Ken) Zwaschka of Clive, Iowa, and Ruth (Ron “Butch”) Askelson of Fort Dodge. Charles is preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Karen.