Charles W. Gruschow, Jr.

Charles Wallace Gruschow, Jr., 51, of West Des Moines went home to his heavenly Father unexpectedly early Wednesday morning, March 17, 2021.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 26, 2021 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will take place at 12:00 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2021 at Memorial Day at Memorial Garden Park in Sioux City

Charles was born on January 8, 1970 in Yankton, South Dakota to Charles and Laura Gruschow. Two years later, he was joined by his sister Kristina who was his best friend throughout his life. He was baptized at the Gruschow family home church First Lutheran Church in Lyons, New York, and later confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Manchester, Iowa.

He graduated from West Delaware High School in Manchester, Iowa, in May of 1988 and entered Northwestern College on the Honors Program. After 2 years, he transferred to Iowa State to continue his pre-engineering courses, but went back to Northwestern College after one year and completed a degree in accounting, graduating in May, 1994.

Charles was employed by Gateway from 1994-1996. When his position ended, he attended WITT for computer science while tutoring math students. If he could have afforded to, he would have gone to school forever, because he always excelled in the classroom, but not so much in the social environment. It was not a surprise when he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.

In 2001, Charles moved into his own apartment in West Des Moines. For the last several years until his death, he worked at Mailflex Services for Nevada Computer.

Charles was most certainly a unique person. He was extremely intelligent, had a good sense of humor, and a bit stubborn at times. His road has not been an easy one to walk. He was forgiving toward people who had caused him pain, and kept moving forward with the loving support from his family and the fantastic group of friends he worked with for many years in the Des Moines area.

Charles is survived by his father Charlie Gruschow of West Des Moines, his mother Laura Martin and step father Larry Martin of Sioux City, sister Kristina Vander Stelt, brother-in-law Bruce Vander Stelt, three nieces Amanda Lemke (Drew), Alyssa Jamison (Isaiah) and Ashlyn Vander Stelt and great niece Eloise Lemke, all of Orange City. The family is so grateful to so many friends of Charles who took him under their wings as a “son.” We are especially grateful to Dick McHose who was his employer, mentor, and friend.

Preceding him in death are his maternal grandparents George and Annette Genant and his paternal grandparents James and Anne Gruschow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the family.

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