Charles Edward Quarnburg died on July 21 in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born January 27, 1947, to Art and Margaret (Kapptie) Quarnburg.
Chuck was a good man with a big smile and even bigger heart. His sense of humor and quick wit, along with his signature hard hat (that he was rarely seen without except for the occasional Boston Celtics cap), made a lasting impression on everyone he met. He was always the life of the party, and usually found on the dance floor in the middle of a crowd of women (and nephews/cousins/buddies). He loved to make sure people had a good time.
He helped his family farm their homestead for years until they started QFC Trucking. Chuck and his family hauled concrete pipe, hay, and enormous concrete bridge beams, but he was always a farmer at heart. In 1981, he married his true love, Josephina “Josie” Torres, and they welcomed their daughter Carolyn into the world. Together, they built a family that was small in number, but massive in faith and love. After they married, Chuck became co-owner of Torres Café and learned from his father-in-law Urbano how to make tortillas, and did so almost every day for eight years. He was always on call to fill in wherever he was needed. When he retired from trucking, he could be found once again making tortillas, and driving the lunch wagon.
Chuck lived and worked on the family farm until 1981 when he married Josie Torres, and they lived in the home they built together for 34 years. Chuck was a great cook, and birthday breakfasts became tradition with the grandkids. Together they made enough food to feed an army, making sure everyone had their favorite. In the fall, his garden vegetable soup was enjoyed by everyone (also enough for an army!). For the past two years, his buddies at the shop got to enjoy lunches prepared by chefs Chuck and Tim Evenson, ranging from Rocky Mountain oysters to hot dogs.
His love of family was unconditional, including all of his beloved dogs. He was always seen with one, two or three dogs riding around with him. His true love in life was his wife Josie and their daughter Carolyn, who, together with Thad, blessed them with three loving grandchildren. They have inherited his sense of humor, and the twinkle in his eye, and absolutely adore him.
He touched so many lives, and will be missed by all who knew him. Special thanks to our son in-law Thad Romee for being there for us, our nephew Richard Quarnburg for all the ways you helped us, the staff at Torres Café who worked without us so we were able to be together, Dr. Angersbach and Dr. Schmeck at YNC, Dr. McMeekin at SVHC, RiverStone Hospice, and all the prayer groups who gave us strength.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved brother Richard (Dick). He is survived by his wife, Josie; daughter, Carolyn (Thad) Romee; grandchildren Ava, Alex and Allie Romee; brother Ralph “Bud” Quarnburg; sister Sharon (Dean) Ingraham; sister-in-law Susan Quarnburg; nephew Richard Quarnburg; niece Rebecca (Greg) Raidiger; niece Rachel Quarnburg; as well as a very large extended family.
Memorials may be sent to Adoration Chapel at PO Box 21523; Mary Queen of Peace Parish; or RiverStone Hospice. Thank you all for your support in helping us to the next chapter of our life.