Charles (Red) Edward Richardson

Charles (Red) Edward Richardson, 93, of Mason City, Iowa died Friday, January 15, 2016 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, January 18, 2016 at the Major Erickson Funeral home with the Rev. Lon Lewis officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Charles was born on November 30, 1922 the son of Thomas and Laura (Boles) Richardson in Mason City, Iowa. He grew up and attended school in Mason City.

On February 10, 1941 Charles enlisted in the National Guard. He was part of the Red Bull 34th Division and served with honor and distinction during World War II. After basic training at the Armory in Mason City and training in Camp Claiborne in Louisiana and Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans he was sent to Northern Ireland for the final phase of his training. From there he went to Belfast, then to Scotland, Sweden, England and eventually to Algiers, North Africa. The Red Bulls became the first American division to enter the European Theater. He was wounded on May 28, 1944 on the beach in Anzio, Italy. He returned to the frontline in Italy and fought battles in Rome, Arno and the Apennines Mountains. Charles was a heavy machine gunner in the Po Valley in Northern Italy. He was awarded three Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart, in addition to several other medals. As a Private First Class, he received an honorable discharge on September 16, 1945. He was a lifetime member of the VFW.
On September 29, 1945 Charles was united in marriage to Janet Grandy Gates in Mason City, Iowa. He worked for Zanios Produce and Lang’s Produce as a supervisor and in sales for 25 years before retiring in 1987.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Janet, children; John, Marsha (Bob) Levisay, Cynthia (Tim) Panches, Nancy (Lon) Lewis, Bruce (Sheila) Richardson, grandchildren; Matt, Wendy, Laurie, Cindy, Tara, Mary, Josh, Kellie and Holly, eleven great-grandchildren, brother-in- law Merlin (Kay) Gates and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Richardson was preceded in death by his son Gene, parents, brother Thomas, sister Vera Mae, niece Ann Marie Hopp and great-grandsons Clayton Pederson and Christopher Kronemann.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.