Charles Pallesen

Notes:

Graduate of Doane College, Crete, Nebraska, class of 1959.

Obituary
Lincoln Journal Star, November 29, 2011
(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)

Charles M. Pallesen Jr., age 74, Lincoln, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2011. Born July 20, 1937, in Chardon, Ohio, Chuck lived his early childhood in Chardon (1937-39), Plainview, Neb. (1939-41), Army Storage Depot Mead, Neb. (1942-43), and Army Storage Depot Hastings (1943-45). Chuck attended public elementary and high school school in Neligh (1945-53) during which time he worked at his father's Standard gas station. His family moved to Ainsworth (1953-55), where he worked in his father's Western Auto Store and at JC Penny. Chuck graduated from Ainsworth High School (1955). He attended Doane College in Crete, and graduated with an A.B., cum laude (1959). During his years at Doane, Chuck was initiated into the Delta Kappa Pi Fraternity, was a letterman on the track team and active in college theatre. He went on to attend and graduate from the University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D., 1962), where he served on the Nebraska Law Review, was a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity and was student body president. During law school he clerked for the Perry & Perry Law firm.

He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army, being commissioned in 1962, and serving training tours at Ft. Benning, Ga. and Charlottesville, Va. On June 30, 1963, Chuck married his college sweetheart, Lorraine Sysel, and the newlyweds moved to Washington, DC, where Chuck served on active duty (1962-65) representing the United States in courts-martial appeals. During his service he attained the rank of Captain, Judge Advocate General's Corps and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Chuck also attended graduate law studies at George Washington University, earning his L.L.M. (1965). Upon completing his active Army service, Chuck and Lorraine made their home in Lincoln where he practiced law for over 40 years as a partner with Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, L.L.P., specializing in healthcare and business law.
He served as counsel to many of prominent institutions and organizations including the University of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, The Nebraska Medical Association, The Nebraska Hospital Association, Great Platte River Road Archway Foundation, Doane College, Governors Biofuels Coalition, Governors Wind Energy Coalition, State Federal Savings and Loan, American Charter Federal Savings & Loan.

In addition to his law practice Chuck became active in civic and political matters, and served on the State Personnel Board, the Merit System Council Board of Directors, the inaugural Board of Directors of Boys and Girls Clubs of Lincoln and Lancaster County, and others. Among many political endeavors, Chuck served as Chairman, Finance Committee Chair and Counsel to the campaigns of Governor and U.S. Senator Jim Exon, as well an adviser to Sen. Bob Kerrey and Ben Nelson. He also served on the Nebraska efforts of every Democratic presidential aspirant (successful and otherwise) dating from John F. Kennedy, to Barack Obama. Chuck's civic work included serving as Chairman, Wyuka Foundation, the Board of Directors of Journal Star Newspaper Printing Co. as well as Chairman of the Nebraska Federal Appointments Advisory Committee, Facilitator of the Nebraska Legislative Committee Study on Electrical Power Deregulation, and Board Member of St. Elizabeth Foundation. Chuck was a member of First Plymouth Congregational Church since 1965.

Preceded in death by parents, Charles M. Pallesen, Sr. and Edna Mae (Ritter); sister, Lois Pallesen. Survived by wife, Lorraine (Sysel); sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, Michael C. Pallesen (Kathleen), Katherine, Michael, Jr., Elizabeth and Margaret, Edward S. Pallesen (Marty Haessler), Henry, Phoebe and Lila; twin brother, Clifford (Diane); sister, Brenda Lea Ehlen (John); uncle Raymond Pallesen (Ruth); aunt, Dorothy (Ritter) Barnard; sister-in-law, Helen Marie Vasak (Richard); nephews and nieces Jeff Pallesen (Lisa), Anne Pallesen (Chris Hearne), Patrick Ehlen (Marketa), Piper Berman (Mat); William Vasak, John Vasak (Christyne), Milton Vasak (Nathalie).

Viewing: 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at First Plymouth Congregational Church, 2000 D Street, Lincoln, with closing prayer and reflections at 7 p.m. Funeral: 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2011, First Plymouth Congregational Church. Burial at Riverside Cemetery, Crete. Condolences and personal reflections may be left online at .

Charles married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]