Charlie August Stoeltje

Charlie Stoeltje, age 94 years 10 months, passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2017. He was born August 6, 1922, in the Three Oaks community of Wilson County, TX. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Vera (Carraway) Stoeltje; parents, Karl August Johann (Charlie) Stoeltje and Alma (Schneider) Stoeltje; sisters, Edna Janszen, Eleanora Blackmon, Erna Lee Stoeltje, Rosalie Hudson Elsie Herber, and Clara Belle Henze; and brother, Franklin Stoeltje. Charlie is survived by his son, Clifford Stoeltje, of New Mexico; brothers, Leon (Alice) Stoeltje and Edward (Cora) Stoeltje; and sister-in-law, Madge Burroughs. He also leaves many nieces and nephews, cousins, and grand nieces and nephews, including Col. Lisa Day (retired) and Johnny Bryant. Charlie enjoyed spending Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with Lisa and Johnny.

Charlie was a WWII veteran and served as a military policeman, standing security during the Nuremberg trials. Charlie arrived in Albuquerque in 1948 with just his duffle bag. He married Vera on March 20, 1950. They maintained a home in Albuquerque throughout his 29-year military career, during which he guarded the atomic bomb at what was then Sandia Base.

After retiring from the US Army, Charlie began a fourteen-year career at UNM in the Physical Plant Department. Charlie's third career encompassed starting up a cardboard recycling business, where he "threw cardboard" until he reached the age of 84.

Charlie was well known and liked at Sandia Resort and Casino where he enjoyed playing bingo several times a week. He also enjoyed his large yard and garden at his home in Albuquerque's North Valley.

The Crypt-side service and Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. July 7, 2017, at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the charity of your choice. Please visit our online guestbook for Charlie at www.FrenchFunerals.com.