Charles Ernest Nestander

Charles Ernest Nestander

1933 – 2023

Charles E. (Chuck) Nestander, 90, of Edmond, Oklahoma, died on August 31, 2023, following more than two years of battling an inoperable brain tumor.

He was born on July 8, 1933, to parents Edwin Hjalmer Nestander and Martha Anna (Kurtz) Nestander at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the youngest of their three children, sharing his parents’ affection with brother Herb and sister Barbara.

He spent his young adult life in Omaha and graduated from Benson High School in Omaha in 1951. He was a proud “Benson Bunny” (the school mascot) and participated in many high school activities, including choir, Glee Club, and ROTC. In his senior yearbook, classmates referred to him as a “swell guy,” and many commented on his beautiful baritone voice. In his later years, he made sure to attend as many class reunions as possible and proudly sported his “Gray Hares” t-shirt on numerous occasions.

Following high school, he attended the University of Omaha, where he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Engineering-Business Administration. Shortly after his graduation in 1955, he was drafted into the Navy, where he served two years and achieved the rank of Quarter Master Third Class (QM3). He was honorably discharged in 1957. He then joined the family business, Radio Equipment Company, a wholesale supplier of radio and television components and parts, where he shared management of the business with his brother.

He married Doris Sixta on November 30, 1963, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance, Nebraska. The couple had four daughters: Karen Marie, Linda Jean, Diane Louise, and Jodi Ann. Chuck and Doris enjoyed nearly 60 years of love together, never wavering in their commitment to their marriage and their family.

In 1979, Chuck left the family business to pursue an independent career in the electronic parts business, and he moved his family to Edmond, Oklahoma. He later formed his own business, CENtral Marketing, where he was an independent sales representative for a variety of electronic and computer parts lines throughout Oklahoma. Chuck and Doris remained in their Edmond home for more than 40 years until Chuck’s illness required them to move into assisted living in 2021.

Chuck led an exemplary life. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking and caring for his lawn, particularly his prize rose bushes. After his retirement in 2001, he took a part-time job at Woodcraft, which allowed him to get discounts on his woodworking tools and talk to his cronies about the many projects he engaged in. He once remarked that the best job he ever had was the one that paid him the least. He liked to spend time on do-it-yourself handyman projects for his house, his beloved church, Peace Lutheran, or even one of his daughters’ homes. He built beautiful furniture and crafted small wooden bracelets, bowls, and boxes, all of which he gave to his family as gifts.

He also enjoyed golfing and fishing and was an avid history buff, especially World War II history. He was never without a pet for very long, and every household pet –whether dog or cat—would eventually become his. They were drawn to his gentle kindness.

Chuck is preceded in death by his father, Edwin H. Nestander; his mother, Martha (Kurtz) Nestander; his brother, Herbert Nestander; and his sister, Barbara (Nestander) Razee. His daughter, Linda Jean (Nestander) Ash, also precedes him in death, having died in 2022 after a battle with metastatic melanoma.

He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years Doris (Sixta) Nestander and his daughters Karen (Nestander) Kurtz, Diane Nestande, and Jodi Nestander. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Tyler Ash (wife Cierra), Rebecca Arbuthnot (husband Sterling Smock), Casey Arbuthnot, Hannah Ash, and Ben Arbuthnot.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Peace Lutheran Church or the Salvation Army.

Services will be held Friday, September 8, 2023 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church at 2600 E. Danforth Rd., Edmond, Oklahoma. Inurnment will take place prior to the service at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at Gracelawn Cemetery at 1407 N. Boulevard, Edmond, Oklahoma.