Charles R. Cota

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Charles R. Cota, age 64, of St. Cloud, who passed away on Monday, January 24, 2011 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Reverend Vincent Lieser will officiate. Entombment will take place in Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum with military honors.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud and after 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home in St. Cloud.

Charlie was born in Benson, Minnesota on October 4, 1946 to Earl Jr. and Margaret (Hendrickson) Cota. He lived in Minneapolis before moving to St. Cloud in 1948. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1964. Charlie served honorably in the U. S. Navy for three and a half years. He was a member of St. Cloud VFW Post #428 and Eagles Aerie #622. He worked for the BNSF Railroad for 38 years as both a brakeman and a conductor before retiring in 2006.

He enjoyed playing cards with the guys, watching his grandson play sports and having a good campfire.

He is survived by his wife, Rosie; his daughter, Christine (Jason) Ashwill of St. Cloud, his son Steven (Melanie) Cota of Rice; mother, Margaret Cota of Waite Park; sister, Mary (Steve) Nylund of Rogers; one grandson, Michael Ashwill; three granddaughters, Hailey, Addison and Kaitlyn Cota; two nieces, Jenni (Joe) Surla of Minneapolis and Jacki (Brian) Miller of Plymouth; two uncles, Dick (Betty) of South Dakota, and Dennis (Susie) of New Hope.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Cota Jr.; grandparents Earl Sr. and Carrie (Cota) Roughan, and one niece Carrie Ann Cota.

Memorials are preferred.