CHARLES A. HETLAND JR.

Charles A. Hetland Jr.

October 31, 1941 - February 6, 2024

Charles (Chuck, Charlie) A. Hetland Jr., son of the late Charles Hetland Sr. and Mildred (Knutson) Hetland, was born October 31, 1941 in Fargo, ND, and died Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at his winter home in Mesa, AZ.

Chuck graduated from Hannaford High School in 1960, studied at Wahpeton School of Science, worked in construction, enlisted in the US Navy, Seabees, where he was stationed in Adak, AK. He continued his service in the Naval Reserve.  The years in service were held in honor for his country.

In 1967, Chuck returned home from the Navy and started his farming business of Brookview Farms and worked with his father at Hetland Excavating, in Hannaford, ND.  Farming was where his heart felt at home.  He equated farming with stewardship of the land.

On July 3, 1970, Chuck married Dianne (Peterson) Hetland at Eidfjord Lutheran Church, Hannaford, ND. They actively farmed, accepting 32 trainees from South Africa, Brazil, Australia, and several countries in Europe, into their home and family activities over the course of their farming career. The trainees came to their farm through the program Communication for Agriculture, based in Fergus Falls, MN. In 2007, Chuck and Dianne retired for the winter months to Sunland Village East in Mesa, AZ.

Chuck was a member of the American Legion Post 143, and for a time he served as District Commander of the Eastern District of the North Dakota American Legion. He served on the Helena Township board, and Lutheran church boards of Eidfjord, Zion, and Trinity for many years. He was an active member of the Sunland Village East Vet Club and Woodcarving Club.

Chuck enjoyed being with family, traveling abroad to homes of former farm trainees, camping, fishing, and in his retirement years, woodworking, riding motorcycle, and hiking with neighbors from Sunland Village East.

Chuck is survived by his wife Dianne, daughters Lynette (Shawn) Usry and Stephanie Neiffer, grandchildren Jessica Neiffer, Elizabeth and Christopher Usry, brother Allen Hetland, nieces and nephews.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Charles Sr. and Mildred, and brother David Hetland.

Memorial gifts: In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorials to

●       Trinity Lutheran Church, Cooperstown, ND 58425

●       Faith Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, Hannaford, ND 58448

●       American Heart Association

A Memorial service will be Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Cooperstown, ND.  Interment will be in the Faith Lutheran Cemetery, Hannaford, ND at 1:00 pm.