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Perham business owner killed by train
Originally published 10:28 a.m., January 14, 2008
Updated 11:02 a.m., January 14, 2008
Charles Minge
A well-known Otter Tail County businessman is dead after being struck by a train Saturday near Lake Park in Becker County.
Charles “Chuck” Minge, 62, Perham, was in a pickup truck when it was hit by a Burlington Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway train about 1:20 p.m. Saturday, Becker County Sheriff Tim Gordon said. Minge was pronounced dead at the scene.
Minges death comes just weeks after his the lodge and pool of his Cactus Resort were destroyed in a Christmas Eve fire. Minge has owned several supper clubs in Otter Tail County, including the Otter Supper Club, which he opened in the 1970s.
“Investigators from our department and from the BNSF are looking into it,” Gordon said. “It was a rural intersection. It looks like a he went through it.”
The intersection had crossarms, Gordon said.
“They were down after the fact. Whether or not they had come down before, or if he was trying to beat the train, those are things we’re investigating,” he said.
Minge was reported missing to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department early Saturday morning and the department helped search for him.
Minge owned the Cactus restaurant and bowling alley with his wife, Brenda. It was an adjacent lodge and RV park that went up in flames in December, just months before it was to open.
The supper club and bowling alley were not affected by the blaze and remained open for business.
After suffering two strokes in July, his doctor ordered him to slow down, Minge told the Perham Enterprise Bulletin in January.
“With congestive heart failure, I just don’t know if I can go through the whole process again,” said Minge.
The Cactus blaze was so destructive, investigators could not determine what started it, according one report.
Minge told The Daily Journal it appeared to have started in a garage.
“We’re not sure yet, but we think it was either faulty wiring in a car or a skid steer that were parked in there,” he said.
The resort fire was the third fire for Minge in 20 years, according to the Perham Enterprise Bulletin. He lost two restaurants in Frazee five years ago when, according to Minge, faulty installation of a new water heater started a fire. He also lost his house about 20 years ago when a battery charger ignited a fire.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Absurdis (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The deceased had one more business "burn"not mentioned . It was "The Butcher the Baker" in Fergus Falls. The fire occured in the 80's.
Posted by Lee (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hmmm
Posted by blake (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Butcher The Baker was not owned by minge at the time of the fire. He had sold his ownership in the corporation, and was asked to be a partner in The Butcher The Baker, The Candle stick lounge, which was located in the mall. I suggest getting your facts straight before posting.
Posted by Absurdis (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you are wrong Blake. My comment is correct.
Posted by givepeace (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Have some respect for the family and give them peace. Why do you have to try to bring in more issues of the past true or untrue? The past is the past, give them peace!!!!
Posted by amorgirl (anonymous) on January 15, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't see how any of this matters at this time. The Minge family has lost a loved one and they need support not people bickering back and forth about small stuff compared to the larger picture. I want to add a little note also that my husband and I went to the Cactus for my recent birthday and it was great!! It was great food and the service was very good. I will recommend the Cactus to anybody!!
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 15, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Check it out, I agree with minivanmom on something.
Posted by dabberqueen (anonymous) on January 15, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shame on you, Absurdis. My heart goes out to the Minge family. I have known Chuck for 18 years, and have always considered him a wonderful man. He loved his family, and was a most gracious host, in any of his businesses, no matter who you were. He treated everybody like a friend, and he will be sadly missed by a lot of people, especially his family.
How can you bring this up, true or not, at this time?! Like I said-SHAME ON YOU!!!
Posted by Skeeter (anonymous) on January 15, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel for the Minge family... I am a former employee
of Chucks, he knew how to promote and draw people to him.
He was partners in the the Butcher Baker Candlestick maker
in Fergus Falls with Sandy Leveque the Manager of Westridge
Mall at the time. At one point he told me they were going to get married. Brenda and Chucks kids my heart goes out to you !!
Posted by susan22mn (anonymous) on January 15, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't judge someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. Have any of you ever been through a fire? It is a life changing nightmare.
Be kind and compassionate, people.
Some of these comments do NOT make me proud to call FF my home town.
Spend your energy on something that doesn't hurt other people.
My condolences to the family.
Posted by blake (anonymous) on January 15, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to take this time to send out a thank you for the whole Minge family to all people that have sent their sympathies as well as condolences. My name is Blake Minge I am Chuck's youngest son, and as many people have stated, he was the best host there ever was, a great father, husband, brother, grandfather, but all in all he was the best teacher there will ever be, no only for me but for many of the people he has inspired, and taught along the way. You will be missed dad. I love you
Posted by tsy86h (anonymous) on January 16, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry for your loss. May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of your loved one as you greive his loss. May God bless you.
Posted by Callie07 (anonymous) on January 17, 2008 at 6:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really think absurdis owes Blake an apology!!!
Posted by MAL4DAD (anonymous) on January 17, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I AM COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED AND DISTURBED REGARDING THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS AFTER MY FATHER'S DEATH. THIS HAS BEEN A HORRIBLE, TRAGIC EVENT FOR OUR ENTIRE FAMILY. I CAN NOT EXPLAIN THE HURT, THE NUMBNESS, THE EMPTINESS THAT WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING. MY FATHER WAS AN INCREDIBLE PERSON. HE WAS A WONDERFUL FATHER, GRANDFATHER, HUSBAND, FRIEND, BUSINESSPERSON, COMMUNITY SUPPORTER...HE PUT HIS HEART AND SOUL INTO EVERYTHING THING HE DID. IF YOU EVER MET MY DAD, IT WAS DIFFICULT NOT TO LOVE HIM AND ENJOY HIS COMPANY. HE WAS SUCH A PEOPLE PLEASER AND ALWAYS MADE YOU SMILE!
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR KIND REMARKS, CONDOLENCES AND STORIES SHARED.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR KINDNESS.
ABSURDIS AND LEE - HAVE YOU EVER LOST A PARENT? I AM GUESSING NOT. I WOULD CERTAINLY HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT IF YOU HAD YOU COULD NOT BE THAT INSENSITIVE AND DISRESPECTFUL TO RAISE SUCH NEGATIVE COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND CONTROVERSY AFTER MY FATHER'S DEATH.
WHY DOES ANY OF THAT MATTER TO YOU OR THE NEWSPAPERS??
HOW INCOMPASSIONATE AND DISRESPECTFUL.
MY FATHER IS GONE!!!
IT TRULY HURTS.
WE LOVE AND MISS YOU DAD/GRANDPA!
HUGS AND KISSES!
Posted by MAL4DAD (anonymous) on January 17, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I AM COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED AND DISTURBED REGARDING THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS AFTER MY FATHER'S DEATH. THIS HAS BEEN A HORRIBLE, TRAGIC EVENT FOR OUR ENTIRE FAMILY. I CAN NOT EXPLAIN THE HURT, THE NUMBNESS, THE EMPTINESS THAT WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING. MY FATHER WAS AN INCREDIBLE PERSON. HE WAS A WONDERFUL FATHER, GRANDFATHER, HUSBAND, FRIEND, BUSINESSPERSON, COMMUNITY SUPPORTER...HE PUT HIS HEART AND SOUL INTO EVERYTHING HE DID. IF YOU EVER MET MY DAD, IT WAS DIFFICULT NOT TO LOVE HIM AND ENJOY HIS COMPANY. HE WAS SUCH A PEOPLE PLEASER AND ALWAYS MADE YOU SMILE!
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR KIND REMARKS, CONDOLENCES AND STORIES SHARED.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR KINDNESS.
ABSURDIS AND LEE - HAVE YOU EVER LOST A PARENT? I AM GUESSING NOT. I WOULD CERTAINLY HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT IF YOU HAD YOU COULD NOT BE THAT INSENSITIVE AND DISRESPECTFUL TO RAISE SUCH NEGATIVE COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND CONTROVERSY AFTER MY FATHER'S DEATH.
WHY DOES ANY OF THAT MATTER TO YOU OR THE NEWSPAPERS??
HOW INCOMPASSIONATE AND DISRESPECTFUL.
MY FATHER IS GONE!!!
IT TRULY HURTS.
WE LOVE AND MISS YOU DAD/GRANDPA!
HUGS AND KISSES!
Posted by susan22mn (anonymous) on January 21, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to share, now that I talked to my Dad and found out that the person I remembered was in fact Chuck. My Dad and Chuck had many cups of coffee together at the Resturaunt out by the freeway. What I remember of Mr. Minge was he always had a smile! ALWAYS. And if I had time, I'd sit down and visit a little bit and he would treat me to a pop or cup of hot chocolate!
Always a smile!!!
Posted by tink (anonymous) on January 21, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember going to Spankys with My whole family. My Grandma Mattie Gunkel was with. She worked for Chuck at the Otter. Chuck sang You are My Sunshine to her. He will be sadly missed ny a lot of people. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Chucks family.
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