Charles "Chuck" Olmsted Jr.

Chuck Olmsted, age 81, passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2024 surrounded by his loving wife and children. Born to Charles Sr. and Katherine Olmsted in Bismarck on June 23, 1943, he attended school in Bismarck, graduating in 1961 from Bismarck High School. Chuck was proud to be a part of the state championship winning Bismarck Governors in the summer after his graduation, playing first base and smacking several big hits in the deciding game. He also starred as a running back for the Demons football team.

Chuck extended his football and baseball careers at Bismarck Junior College, which became prime fodder for many glorious stories he was always willing to share with anyone who would listen. He later attended North Dakota State University, where he played baseball and earned a degree in mathematics with a minor in German in 1966.

In August of 1966, he was drafted into the US Army and went through basic training at Ft. Lewis in Washington. After attending electronics school at Ft. Monmouth in New Jersey, Chuck served a year in Vietnam and was discharged in August 1968.

Upon returning to North Dakota, he was hired by Bismarck Public Schools where he taught math at Hughes Junior High and Horizon Middle School. He was known for his impossible problems which were (mostly) loved by his students, his chalkboard murals, and for his work as a basketball and football coach. He retired in 2004 after 35 years of making his students spit out their gum into his hungry garbage can named Herman. 

In the fall of 1968, Chuck met the love of his life, Gloria Kocher. He charmed her with his exceptionally sweet side and continued his crazy love for her through their entire time together. The two married on November 22, 1969, and had four children – Kelly (Corey) Thompson; Suzanne (Sean) Thorenson; Doug (Karmen) Olmsted; and Nancy Olmsted. One of Chuck’s greatest joys was having the role of Coach Grandpa to eight grandchildren – Casey, Carter, and Hayden Thompson; Mason and Chase (Autumn) Thorenson; and, Sid, Ike, and Ivy Olmsted.

Chuck had an oversized love for sports, rooting on the Packers, Bison, and Twins from his recliner and in attendance for any game or event his kids or grandkids were a part of. His family would like to apologize to the referees unfortunate enough to be assigned to any of those games.

He loved spending his summers camping with his family, golfing with friends, and playing countless games of cards at the Bismarck Elks Lodge, somehow always breaking even each day.

Famous for his many sayings and one-liners, Chuck’s love language was sarcasm. To find yourself on the tail end of one of his quips meant that he loved and believed in you. His sayings ranged from the practical (If all else fails, read the directions) to the graphically practical (Here’s what you need to do: bend over, grab your head with both hands, and pull your head out of your … ). He was also an avid storyteller and had no problem striking up conversations with anyone.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 54 years, his children, and grandchildren; sisters, Joann (Carl) Copeland, Judy (Steve) Nelson, and Vicky (Allen) Weisenberger; and sister-in-law, Shirley Olmsted.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ronald and Gary; his in-laws, Peter and Rosemary Kocher; and Darlene Olmsted.

The funeral service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the Bismarck Funeral Home. It will also be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be sent to the Bismarck Memory Cafe at 607 N. 6th St., Bismarck, ND 58501.