Charles Bryan, 95, of Avon

Services for Charles and Joanne are 10:30 AM, Friday, May 1, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon, with military honors, Eastern Star and Masonic Rites. Visitation is at the church from 9:30-10:30 AM. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Scotty Philip Memorial Cemetery in Fort Pierre. 

Charles Edward Bryan was born and grew up west river South Dakota where he met and married his wife of 72 years, M. Joanne Fry. Joanne passed away in September 2024. Together they had four children—Brenda, Brad, Chris, and Corinn. Brenda and Chris have moved to Avon to care for him and Joanne. Corinn lives in Yankton and Brad lives in Missouri. They also have five grandchildren and approximately sixteen great grandchildren.

Charles was born May 1, 1930, in Mellete County, South Dakota near White River to Donald Cramer and Wilhemina (Minnie) Christina (Brunssen) Bryan. He was the fourth of eleven siblings., They include Madelon (Jerry White), Donny (Alice Holcomb in ND), Pat (Reed Harris), Lola (John Hermann), Willard (Cleota), Larry (Diane in SD), Carolyn (Dick McKee), Tony (Barbara), Sharon LeTillier in NC, and Wayne. All of whom but one sister and two of their spouses preceded him in death. There are many nieces and nephews living and a few deceased.

Charles grew up on the White River homestead where his family raised and trained team horses. They also farmed and raised cattle. Charles graduated from White River High School. When in grade school he broke his back when the horse he was riding stumbled in a prairie dog hole and threw him. He was back in school as soon as reasonable due to friends who carried him back and forth from Bryan home in town and school. As a result, Charles did not play many sports but continued to work on the ranch. He authored an unpublished book on his experiences growing up on the ranch. Upon graduation, he attended South Dakota State University.

Charles joined the Army in 1952. The army summarized his career to that point as a cow puncher since a rancher or ranch hand was not in their lexicon. Charles served in Germany during the Occupation following WWII. He did his basic and artillery training at Ft. Bliss in TX. His training as a cannoneer enabled him to be station at Coleman Army Airfield in Mannheim, Germany. Bryan was an assistant supply sergeant and assigned to drive a ton and half supply truck around Germany. During his years of service, Charles received an Occupation Medal and a National Defense Service Medal.

In July 1952, on leave after basic training, he married M. Joanne Fry at the White River Methodist church. Joanne joined him overseas where they honeymooned and toured Europe for a year.

Following his service, Charles and Joanne returned to White River where dad worked as a ranch hand and raised cattle to purchase a trailer house and earn tuition for college. Brenda and Brad were born during this time.

The young family moved the trailer house to Springfield, SD where Charles returned to college. He received his Diploma in Auto mechanics and Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Education from Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD. Chris and Corinn were born there.

The family then moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin where Charles graduated with a Master’s of Science Degree in Industrial Education from Stout State University.

Charles began teaching high school auto mechanics in Niles Township, a suburb of Chicago, IL. His students participated in and won the Plymouth Troubleshooting contest locally and in Detroit. When a teaching position became available at Southern, he and his family moved back to Springfield, SD. They bought a house a block from where their trailer house had been. It was located across the street from the college’s football field on the 50-yard line.

Charles began as an instructor in the Automotive Mechanics Program, then Department Head and instructor of the Diesel department. He advanced his career to be the Director of Mechanical Technology at Southern State College. After the college became the University of South Dakota at Springfield, he became a full professor.

Brenda always said she felt comfortable driving anywhere in South Dakota because she drove Charles’ white station wagon. When she pulled into a service station, the mechanics all gave it a once over and asked, “Do you know Mr. Bryan.” They were graduates of his programs at Southern. They usually told her what was wrong with the car so Charles could fix it when she got home.

Then disaster hit as the college closed to make it a state penitentiary. It was too early to retire and with their children already grown, Charles and Joanne moved to Estherville, IA to teach at Iowa Lakes Community College. Charles completed his career shortly thereafter.

Just prior to retirement, Charles and Joanne had the opportunity to purchase the Greenwood house in Avon, SD. During the last year of teaching in Iowa, they spent weekends and holidays refurbishing the house and moved in as soon as Charles retired. Charles and Joanne have been members of the Avon community for over 30 years. They were able to qualify the house as a historical home.

Charles has always been active in his community. In Springfield, he served on the City Council as the zoning board member. Charles also was an active participant in raising money, building, and becoming a charter member of the Springfield Community Swimming Pool. In Avon, he became Mayor and served for 10 years in that capacity.

The Masonic organizations have always meant much to Charles. He has been active in Masons, the Order of the Eastern Star, El Riad Shrine, and Scottish Rite Freemasonry. He learned his masonic lectures while riding the range on horseback.

Charles’ other activities included boating and water skiing on the Lewis and Clark Lake. They purchased a motorboat in 1958 and were on the lake most summer weekends when the family lived in SD until they moved to Avon.

Charles was an active Antique Diesel engine collector. As a collector, he purchased engines in a variety of conditions, then repaired and restored them to operating status if not mint condition. He and Joanne travelled to engine shows where they showed operational engines. Their displays included engines that connected to water pumps really pumping water or corn shellers cleaning corn. The water pump was set up on Founder’s Day float in Springfield. He also restored several tractors and pickups that he used in a variety of parades as the Mayor of Avon’s entry. Another memorable occasion was when a show was in Nebraska almost due south of Springfield. Driving to Yankton to cross the dam or bridge created a lot of mileage as he was taking several vehicles and loaded trailers. So, Charles planned to have the Sally Ann riverboat out of Running Water, SD, take of his vehicles with displays across to Niobrara, NE in one trip. Joanne and Brenda took vehicles with trailers disconnected when parked on the ferry. Charles took the pickup and his trailer on the boat last. They left the loading and unloading ramps down with the pickup and trailer hanging over both ends. It was a sight to see. They repeated the process after the show.

Charles’ other activities included boating and water skiing on the Lewis and Clark Lake. They purchased a motorboat purchased in 1958 and could be seen on the lake most summer weekends when the family lived in SD until after they moved to Avon. Additionally, Charles was a charter member and President of the Bon Homme County 4H Club, Trustee member of the First Presbyterian church, an Avon American Legion member and a member of the Yankton VFW.

Charles was able to live at home until January 2026 when circumstances and health required him to move to the Tyndall Good Samaritan home. He had a stroke on March 29 and moved to Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton where he passed away on April 1, 2026, one month short of his 96th birthday.