Homer "Chuck" Stinar

Homer “Chuck” Earl Stinar was born on October 4th, 1924, in Casper, Wyoming to Fred and Hazel (Harding) Stinar. Homer and his family moved to Bluffton, MN in 1926. Homer attended school in Ottertail County until 8th grade until he had to drop out to help with the family farm. Homer was kept busy each day milking cows, tending to chickens, geese, ponies and sheep. He enjoyed swimming in the nearby river, running around the property, hunting and trapping.  

Homer was drafted into the Army in August of 1944 and was deployed and stationed in Luzon, Philippines actively serving in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Homer was injured on June 15th, 1945, was honorably discharged, and was awarded the Purple Heart along with many other military honors including the three Battle Stars and Good Conduct Medal. After Homer was home and recovering from the war, he met the love of his life Rhoda (Anderson). They were married on June 11th, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek. Homer and Rhoda were blessed with six children and shared their family home together in Verndale for 72 years. Homer and Rhoda enjoyed dancing in barns, socializing with friends, roller skating, and taking their children to Wagon Wheel Resort on Rush Lake every summer. 

Since Homer wasn’t able to finish high school, he had the opportunity to complete four years of academics in four days in St. Cloud and received his high school diploma. Homer traveled to Minneapolis to attend Dunwoody College of Technology where he studied architecture and drew blueprints for the government. When Homer returned to Verndale, he worked for Burlington Northern as a yardman, brakeman, switchman and foreman for 42 years. He was also a substitute mail carrier, worked part-time for the DNR and purchased his own farm where he raised cattle, trapped and sold furs. Homer got his pilot license and flew both for fun and work through the Wadena Airfield. In his free time, Homer enjoyed hunting, fishing, sucker fishing in the Spring, trapping, gardening, keeping his yard tidy, and entertaining guests.  

After Homer finally retired, his days were spent painting, carving wood (butterflies becoming a specialty), making fish decoys, gardening, more hunting & fishing, telling his life stories and he loved talking on the phone reminding everyone “he was only a phone call away”. He was a proud member of the VFW, United Transportation Union, Sheriff’s Association and more. Homer was a fantastic storyteller, there was rarely silence in his home when he had visitors. Whether the stories were funny or serious, every detail was always told with such color and enthusiasm and was sure to stick with the listeners for a lifetime.  

Homer passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on March 20th, 2023, at 98 years of age. He is already missed by family and friends. Preceding Homer in death was his wife Rhoda, his parents, son Rick Stinar, siblings: Ilo Thorne, Vivian Johnson, and Audrey Kalahar.  

Homer is survived by his brother, Fred Stinar Jr, children: Steve (Rosie) Stinar, Mike (Delle) Stinar, Brad (Brenda) Stinar, Shari (Daryl) Mattson, and Michelle (Art) Schluttner, daughter-in-law Jean Stinar; 16 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 26 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many beloved friends. 

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