Charles Phillip “Charlie” McCabe, 96, passed away Monday, July 7, 2025 at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield where he had resided for 17 years.
Charlie was the first born of 12 children to Richard and Gladys (Ryan) McCabe on September 28, 1928 in Cresco, Iowa. He spent his first 12 years on a farm near Plymouth Rock, Iowa. In 1940 the family moved to Henrytown walking the livestock 28 miles. Charles attended the Todd School in Coldwater , Iowa and Henrytown School until the 7th grade, then stayed home to work on the farm.
Charles met his future wife, LaVonne Alaine Bakke, at the Harmony Roller Rink. They were united in marriage on June 28, 1952 at the Assumption Church Rectory in Canton. They farmed south of Lanesboro and raised five children. Charlie was a very diversified farmer. He was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lanesboro, served on the Creamery, Midland, and ADA boards. Charlie was always willing to help others. He enjoyed working with horses, had a team of draft horses until 1962, and after that, he had several riding horses. Charles enjoyed going to the sales barns where we never knew what he was going to come home with. He was known for knowing how to put up a good fence. He also enjoyed gardening and butchering a “few” chickens.
Charlie is survived by his five children Charlene (Keith) Eide, Shirley (David) Shanahan, Larry (Linda), Jerry (Kim), and Patty (Lance) Mensink; 19 grandchildren: 4 step grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 13 step great grandchildren; a brother Orvin McCabe of Georgia; two sisters Donna (Al) Weber of Rochester, and Marilyn (Joe) Schorr of Lanesboro; 4 sisters-in-law Jean McCabe, Ella Mae McCabe, Bonnie McCabe, and Catherine Bakke. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife LaVonne; an infant son, Gregory Charles; four brothers Jim, George, Roger, and Steve; four sisters Darlene Hulett, Alice McCabe, Rosella Peterson, and Grace Reicks; a sister-in-law Rosalie Hongerholt; and a brother-in-law Charles Bakke.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 15th at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lanesboro Church, with Father Nicholas Gawarecki officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, July 14th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and one hour before the service Tuesday. Burial will be in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church cemetery following the service. Memorials are preferred to the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
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