Charles F. Bergsten

Charles Franklin Bergsten

May 11, 1937 - Feb. 1, 2025

The world lost an original with the passing of Chuck Bergsten, 87, longtime resident of Calhan and a friend to many. Born Charles Franklin Bergsten to Paul and Mildred Bergsten of Essex, Iowa, Chuck spent much of his youth working on the family farm and tinkering in his father's machine shop. He lived a colorful life, serving in the Marines and then driving a fire truck in Garden Grove, California.

Chuck married Elizabeth Bollinger and they raised three sons, Tim, Bill and Kevin, who live in Colorado Springs. In the summer of 1967, Chuck's young family moved to Calhan where it milked cows and raised hay for several years. Chuck spent many windy but happy days supporting his kids at the springtime high school track meets. He was proud to have helped raise the money and install the lights on the Calhan High School football field in 1975. And he was always the funniest person at the cribbage table.

His work life included many hours on a farm tractor and driving a dump truck, and as real estate tycoon and school custodian. And he built and managed the Calhan Day Care Center with his second wife, Lola Hanke.

In addition to his sons, Chuck is survived by Lola's granddaughters Patricia and Ellen, and their families who loved him through his later years. Chuck eventually battled short-term memory loss. Following Lola's passing he moved to Colorado Springs and lived comfortably at home with his sons.