Charles “Chuck” Joseph Mize, 79, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake.
A visitation for all those that wish to share their memories of Chuck and convey their condolences to the family will be held on June 2nd, 2024, from 3-5 p.m. at the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. A private, family burial will take place at a later date in the Milltown Cemetery, Milltown, South Dakota.
Chuck Mize was born on August 3, 1944, in Torrance, CA, to Everett and Inez (Tatro) Mize. He graduated from Parkston High School in 1962. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, as well as his Master’s Degree in Business Adminstration from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. Beyond his formal degrees, Chuck was a life-long student of the sciences; eagerly awaiting and thoroughly reading many different scientific publications and journals, and frequently sharing many of the latest scientific facts and theories with family and friends.
Chuck was united in marriage to Marjorie Ann Myers on November 27, 1964, in Chamberlin, SD. Chuck worked for most of his career as a Chemical Engineer for Berkley/Pure Fishing, starting at Berkley’s in 1969 and retiring from Pure Fishing in 2006, with a brief, five-year period working for Dunham, an engineering consulting company in Rapid City, SD, from 1980 to 1985. During his time at Berkley, Chuck had the privilege of being involved in the invention and development of several of the company’s successful monofilament and braided fishing lines, including being instrumental in the invention of Trilene XT monofilament fishing line.
During Chuck’s free time, he enjoyed training dogs with his wife, Marjie, for competition in AKC-registered Field Trials and Hunt Tests. Chuck and his dogs enjoyed remarkable success over the decades, winning or placing in countless trials. He successfully trained his dogs to receive top certifications, including earning one dog an FC/AFC title; three others AFC titles; and five with Master Hunter titles. He qualified and competed with four separate dogs in the National Amateur Retriever Club Championship over the years, and qualified and competed with two dogs in the Master National Retriever Club Championship.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Marjie Mize of Spirit Lake; and his two daughters, Marie (Keith) Lynn Mize Dotseth, of Pepin, Wisconsin, and Inez (Tim) Yvette Bersie-Mize of Saint Paul, Minnesota; two grandsons, Spencer James Mize Dotseth and Keegan Everett Bersie-Mize; and two of his loving dogs.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and several other of his beloved canine companions.
Memorials may be made in Chuck’s name and sent to the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa, 607 28th St., Milford, IA 51351.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
