We Remember

ASCHENBRENNER, Charles “Chuck”

July 8, 1950 — April 22, 2024

A man with a big heart and a willingness to help others.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Aloysius Aschenbrenner. He suffered a stroke in May 2023 and passed unexpectedly of bronchial pneumonia on April 22, 2024, in Kelowna, BC.

Chuck, as he was fondly known, was born on July 8, 1950, in Humboldt, Saskatchewan to Carl and Martha Aschenbrenner of Annaheim, Saskatchewan. He grew up in Annaheim, helping out at the family general store.

The family moved to Penticton, BC when Chuck was nine years old. He attended school and graduated from Penticton High in June 1968.  One of his favorite things was helping his father in Carl’s Flower Shop. He attended BCIT where he studied broadcasting and went on to be a DJ at BCIT radio and a cameraman in studio production at CHBC.  Over the years, he tried his hand at numerous careers including appliance repairs in the Okanagan, production line technician at Seaforth Plastics in Vancouver, manager for Carl’s Flowers in Penticton, office manager for Apex Helicopters in Saskatoon, computer sales for Radio Shack/Tandy Business Products in Calgary, and a real estate agent in Calgary. Chuck joined the computer department of London Drugs in 1993 and was proud to celebrate 30 years of work with them in 2023.

Some of Chuck’s favourite memories were traveling to Germany and Europe with his father, as well as to California, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Honduras. One of his biggest highlights was being a dancer for the opening ceremonies at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Chuck loved to volunteer his time with organizations in Calgary and Saskatoon such as the Kinsmen, Children’s Miracle Network, United Way Appeal, and Louis Riel Days. Chuck was always willing to help others, from family to strangers, and had a heart of gold.

Chuck had a good sense of humour and loved joking around – some friends called him Chuckles. One of his last questions was “Will they have milkshakes and cold beer in heaven?” His favorite flowers were red gladiolas because they reminded him of his Dad Carl and the flower shop, and his favorite color was yellow because it reminded him of the sunrise of each new day.

Chuck is survived by his loving brother Woody (Barb) Aschenbrenner of Penticton; brother-in-law Gary Kerr of Arcola, Saskatchewan; nieces and nephews Cherie (Willy) Hauca, Donna Aschenbrenner (Jayson Luckey) of Kelowna BC, Lois Nahirney (Tom Dielschneider) of North Vancouver, Doug Nahirney (Joanna Nolan) of Ottawa, Patrick Nahirney of Victoria, and Lynnette MacKay (Justin) of Edmonton; as well as grand-nieces and nephews Chloe, Brennan, Colby, Dylan, Kailyn, Levi, Natalie, Cairns, and Blake. He was predeceased by his parents Carl (d.1995) & Martha (d.1999) Aschenbrenner, sister Denise (d.2019) and brother-in-law Bill (d.2024) Nahirney, and sister Ramona Kerr (d.2022).

Chuck, you have left us with so many fond memories of good times in your life and happy times shared with us. May you rest in peace.

A private family ceremony will be held.  Should you wish to make a memorial donation in Chuck’s honour, you can continue his generosity to others through one of these charities — The Children’s Miracle Network or Kelowna Salvation Army.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

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The Children’s Miracle Network or Kelowna Salvation Army Link: www.childrenshospitals.ca, donate.salvationarmy.ca/

 


 


Condolences

  • Jodi and jamie ( Saskatoon) says:
    April 26, 2024 at 9:06 pm

    I have had the honor of being chuck’s tenant for 10+ years and couldn’t have asked for a better more caring, thoughtful landlord , from checking in to see if the house needed anything, to dropping off flowers and a gift card on Thanksgiving day, to the endless emails of all the good oldies music/videos, but most of all, chuck made it possible for me to purchase the home we’ve rented from him and the sale was finalized 3 days prior to when chuck ended up in the hospital 🥺 now this would have been absolutely impossible without chuck’s generosity and kind heart ❤️ from my family to yours, truly, sincerely, thank you chuck and family. May god bless you all during this hard time 🙏
    Jodi and jamie

    Reply
    • Lois Nahirney says:
      April 27, 2024 at 10:10 am

      Thank you Jodi and Jamie for such a beautiful message about Chuck. He was a kind soul. We are so happy he was able to sell the home to you. There was something very divine about the timing happening just before he passed unexpectedly. I always believe our soul self knows — and I think he was looking out for you. Sending you love and peace.

      Reply
  • Rob Latour says:
    April 27, 2024 at 9:15 pm

    Chuck…it’s now a fond farewell and as we are seeing a day if not many…late. Amazingly, tried for many, many years to find you to touch base. Finally gave up and now read here that you were right here in Kelowna and Penticton the later part of time. Ironically I did come by the flower shop to no success. Just wasn’t meant to be I guess. I read here, now that you maintained that great heart, no surprise.

    Reply
  • Shirley & Tom Hansen says:
    April 28, 2024 at 7:35 pm

    Sending our sincerest condolences to Chuck’s family. Church truly was a kind caring man . He was a big part of the Kunz family especially in the 1970s. He will be remembered and missed . ❤️

    Reply
  • Jerry Aschenbrenner says:
    April 29, 2024 at 11:23 am

    The world is a better place for Chuck having been here – It’s so sad that he left so soon.
    Jerry & Anita Aschenbrenner & families!

    Reply
  • Sylvia Boyko says:
    April 30, 2024 at 6:37 pm

    Even though it has been many years since Marianne, Dan and I have talked to or saw Chuck – we always appreciated him stopping in to visit our Mom in Watson. He would show up with some beautiful flowers and great conversation. His visits made her day.
    Condolences from Rose Schmitz Family.

    Reply
  • Glen Jansen says:
    May 2, 2024 at 9:54 am

    We have lost a lot of fantastic people all in the same family. It is with Profound Sadness I say goodbye to Denise, Ramona, Bill and now Chuck.. Their adventuresome spirit will never be forgotten. Chuck especially was one always willing to help out. I was having a drink with Chuck in a bar and was looking for an answer to a problem. Soon Chuck had the whole bar involved and we had an answer. I took Chuck out to karaoke one night and soon he was singing all over and did quite well. He was always up for a challenge . We will certainly miss his Good Will and enthusiasm . He is probably singing with Toby Keith now. You now have Angel’s to entertain. Till we meet again, your cousin will miss you..

    Reply

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