Charles H. Juergens

Charles H. Juergens of Costa Mesa, Ca passed on February 18, 2011 at home with his family by his side. Charlie would not want your ordinary obituary so I (Karen) his wife of 34 years have decided to honor him in my own way. Charles was fond of a small town in the Midwest called Dunlap, Iowa. As a small child he would stay all summer to spend time with his grandmother Gussie whom he adored and would share many a story of his love for Dunlap and the small town mentality. Charlie also enjoyed water skiing in the “Juergens” compound in Lake George, NY during the summer months and recently discovered their old house was turned in to a hotel and the power boat is still on the property.

Charles was born in Omaha, Nebraska and lived in Kansas City and New York until finally settling down in Costa Mesa in 1976 when we were married.

Charlie spent four years serving his county in various locations but his most memorable was Attu Island in Alaska where they would name the stray dogs Fred, George, Shirley and his all time favorite was Fearless. He shared how they would play poker which frequently led to fist fights and how the troops would handle the sheer isolation.

Most evenings after work, I would go for a 3-4 mile run and call home afterward to ask what he felt like having for dinner. We would settle on something but usually Charlie would say “lets get a dish” which meant a trip to Irvine Ranch Market, or to Mothers Market and at least once a week we went to Dick Churches to see George and the regulars.

Ask anyone who knew Charlie and to a man they would all say that he was a very kind and gentle man who made the earth a better place.

We had a full life together and I will miss him tremendously. Charles died of Pulmonary Fibrosis and in his honor; we will investigate the steps necessary to start an annual Pulmonary Fibrosis 5K to bring awareness to this disease. Charles is survived by his wife Karen McKenna-Juergens, daughters Anne Kauppila of Koloa, Hi, Charlene Juergens and Meredith Juergens both of Costa Mesa.

Thank you honey for many happy years.

Karen