Charles Lesser Shoemaker

Charles (Chuck) Lesser Shoemaker, 95, passed away at North Ridge Care Center in New Hope, MN on June 30, 2026. He has resided in Minneapolis since 2011. He was born August 19, 1930, in Baltimore, MD to H.E. Walter Shoemaker and Elizabeth Anna (Lesser) Shoemaker. Chuck was raised in Christian Science and practiced the religion for most of his life. He married the late Marjorie (Peggy) Ann Clark from Mountainhome, PA on June 16, 1952. They divorced on April 1, 1998. Chuck had an 11-year relationship with his mistress, Irene Miller, which produced one daughter, Jessie.

Chuck graduated from Perry High School in Pittsburgh, PA in the class of 1948. While in high school he was a member of DeMolay, the drama and journalism club, and the track and field team. He attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering on June 16, 1952. While in college, he was a member of Theta XI Fraternity. After graduating, his first employment was with TVA in Knoxville, TN. Chuck worked for several construction companies until landing a project manager position with Gust K. Newberg Construction Co. in 1971. While working in Duluth, MN in 1975, he became a 32nd degree Freemason with the Duluth Masonic Lodge but was not an active member at the time of his passing. After 21 years with Newberg, he retired at age 62 in 1992.

Chuck was an avid sports fan and enjoyed virtually every sport. However, he was a die-hard Pittsburgh Steeler fan. He personally enjoyed golfing and bowling. He loved the outdoors, especially camping, fishing, boating, hiking and swimming. Chuck also had a huge love for travel, and did so throughout the United States. His interest in the family genealogy produced many trips with his daughter, Jane, to Pennsylvania, especially the Pennsylvania Dutch country, to do research. He is the last to pass from his generation in the family lineage.

Preceded in death by his parents, H.E. Walter and Elizabeth Anna (Lesser) Shoemaker; brothers, Walter Robert and Howard Edward Shoemaker; sister, Mary Elizabeth Marschalk; ex-wife, Peggy Shoemaker; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Shoemaker; son, William Arthur Shoemaker; niece, Pamela Terry Shoemaker; and grand-niece, Nicole Terry Shoemaker.

He is survived by his son, Jonathan Walter (Debbie) Shoemaker of Griffin, GA; daughters, Jane Louise Shoemaker of McDonough, GA and Jessie Gina Miller of Duluth, MN; grandson, Charles Bruce (Carla) Shoemaker of McDonough, GA; granddaughters, Kimberly Ann (Christian) White of Atlanta, GA and Ashley Nicole (Zach) McNeill of Griffin, GA; great-grandchildren, Julia Rose, Jonathan and Abigail Shoemaker, Charlieanne, Maddie, Brady and Barrett White, Addie Mae, Isaac and Caroline McNeill. He has also left behind several nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and many cousins.

Chuck’s daughter Jane would like to express her gratitude to all of the North Ridge Care Center and St. Croix Hospice nurses and staff for all they did to help her father have a better quality of life the last 6 months. Thank you for loving on him! 

There are no formal service plans at this time. Please check back here for updates.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or North Ridge Care Center, New Hope, MN in his memory.