Charles L. Amundson, Jr., 53, of Black River Falls, WI, passed away unexpectedly at his home on October 30, 2023.
Chuck was born on October 24, 1970, to Charles L. Sr. and Lorraine D. (Olson) Amundson in Sparta, WI. He grew
up in Cataract, WI and graduated from Sparta Senior High School in 1989. He married Kathleen (Kathy) McGinnis
on October 26, 1991. To this marriage, his daughter, Kristine Kay, and his son, Derrick James, were born. Chuck
and Kathy later divorced.
While he was in high school, he worked part-time washing trucks for the local beer/beverage distributor. After
graduating from high school, Chuck worked for a roofing company installing tin roofs at Fort McCoy; then building
pole sheds for Cleary Building Corporation, before finding employment with the Ho-Chunk Nation (Majestic Pines
Casino) in Black River Falls in July 1996, first as a cashier on the casino floor, then advancing to work in several
aspects of casino security. It was at the casino that he met the love of his life, Jennifer Lynn Reshel. They were
married on September 4, 1999, recently celebrating their 24 th wedding anniversary. He worked as a firefighter
with the Black River Falls Fire Department from October 2001 to April 2004. While serving as a firefighter, he
became EMT certified and worked as an EMT/ambulance driver for the Black River Falls Ambulance Service from
July 2004 to July 2014. He was very proud of his service with the Fire Department and Ambulance Service.
Chuck enjoyed fishing, hunting, the outdoors…especially when he could spend time with his dad, brother, and
uncle in Cannon Valley, land that his Uncle Paul owns south of Leon. After his Grandma Ruby passed away in 2003,
he mastered the recipe for Grandma Ruby’s date pinwheel cookies…the cookie that she would make each year for
the gun-deer hunters. He treasured any time that he could spend with Jennifer, be it camping, hiking, riding his
motorcycle or bicycles, gardening, or just enjoying being home together. He was a master at smoking a variety of
meats…briskets, pork butts, ribs, wild turkey, etc. It was all delicious.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Jennifer; his daughter, Kris (Scott) Powelson and their children, Harlie, Landon,
Hunter, and Lincoln; his son, Derrick (Samantha) Amundson and their children, William and Lily. He is also
survived by his father, Charles L., Sr. and stepmother, Deborah; his sister, Julie (Chuck) Hough and her children,
Kimberly (Dustin Wilson) Burkhalter, and Kyle (Nicole) Burkhalter; his brother, Andrew and his daughter,
Hensley; brother-in-law, Dennis (Sandy) Reshel and children, Nathaniel and Samantha; sister-in-law, Lori (Reshel)
Brown. Also surviving are his grandfather, Dean (Ann) Olson; aunt, Ellen Hendricks and family; uncle, DeWitt
(Diane) Olson and family; uncle, Paul Amundson; aunt, Paulette (David) Widener; and grand-niece and grand-
nephew, Lillian and Dawson Burkhalter.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorraine (Olson) Amundson; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Karen
and Jerry Reshel; brother-in-law, Jerry Brown; maternal grandmother, Lillian Olson; paternal grandparents, Hans
and Ruby Amundson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, November 6, 2023, at Buswell Funeral Home, 106 S. 2 nd
Street, Black River Falls, WI. A luncheon will follow at Sand Creek Brewing Company, 320 Pierce Street, Black
River Falls.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Online condolences may be offered at
http://www.buswellfh.com.
Buswell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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