"Rita, Steve, Lori and Juli. This has taken me a long time to compose. First our deepest sympathy with your loss of Chuck. I can go on and on with all the tales of us as neighbors and best of friends. If I started to do that there would be no room for anyone else. It is always hard to loose a friend but we know what Chuck did for his family and Webster County in his lifetime. We look outside our house and there sits conversation on building a duplex but of course that was with xCharlettes approval. Lol Campaigning, parades,hog roasts and finally Perkins. Walking and talking and wearing out shoes. We did all this because we knew Chuck was the man for Webster County. Memories ! We are proud to say we knew Chuck Griggs and his family. Love Dick and Pat"
In loving memory of
Charles "Chuck" Griggs
August 23, 1939 - June 9, 2020
Charles "Chuck" Griggs, 80, of Fort Dodge passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family.
Survivors include his devoted wife of 61 years, Rita of Fort Dodge, son Steve (Debbie) Griggs of Fort Dodge, daughter Lori Horn (Keith Streit) of Fort Dodge, Juli (Scott) Smith of Adel, 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and his sister-in-law Brinda Griggs.
He was preceded in death by his parents David and Pearl (Brockman) Griggs, sister Charlene Schwering, her husband Don and his brother David Griggs.
Charles Edward Griggs was born on August 23, 1939 in Lehigh. He was raised and educated there and graduated from Lehigh High School. On September 11, 1956 he enlisted with the U.S. Navy serving until his honorable discharge on August 22, 1960. While serving in the U.S. Navy he was united in marriage to Rita Ewing. The couple later made their home in Fort Dodge. Chuck loved spending time with his family more than anything else. He enjoyed riding his bike, working meticulously for hours in his yard, going to have pizza at the Community and coffee with his friends, especially Jim Ertl. He adored his dog Reggie. He was honored to serve both his Country and the Webster County community throughout his lifetime. Chuck was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Parish.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Megan Mason for her care and compassion given to Chuck and the entire family.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Tributes
"Rita and family: Sorry for your loss. I have many good memories of Chuck and family when you lived on the school hill in Lehigh . May the peace of God comfort and strengthen you. Marvin Foirtune"
"Chuck was a nice and decedent man. He helped my family out a long the way of life. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. P.S. Chuck, if you happen to run into my Dad up there tell him I love and miss him. Fly High Chuck!!!!"
"His life was so very well lived, may God bless him, and families ?"
"Prayers to the Griggs family . Chuck was a great man and served his country and the people of Webster with compassion and grace."
"So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Dols Family Dols Family"
"So sorry to hear about chuck. Prayers for his family"
"I always adored Chuck while working at the jail. He was always good to me. I am so sorry for your loss. Lainie Anderson "
"Im chucks grandson. Son of juli, I miss my grandpa (papa) He would bring donuts for me, get me out of school, and he gave me something special that i will never forget. Memory's take over the life he had. R.I.P Papa "
"Sheriff Griggs and his wife Rita I owe alot of thanks to for helping me through a difficult time in my life when my daughter was murdered. He was a great Sheriff no matter what he was accused of between Sheriff Griggs and Sheriff Satern knowing the Truth and Believing in the truth, kept me strong and believing in justice. Fly High Mr Griggs Fly High "
"I remember my dad Bernard Bickford explaining about voting in a primary election, I went and declared Democrat because my daddy said we needed to keep Chuck in office and he won of course. Blessings to Rita and all of the family. Fly high Sherriff Griggs fly high"
"Chuck Griggs will be remembered for his kindness, always with a smile that penetrates the mind. A person of God who embellished the tapestry of life. We are thankful for his life and for his family, that enriched our lives, especially during our days in Duncombe. May God embrace him with a heavenly kiss and may his family find peace and comfort in knowing that Chuck?s smile lives on. May God Bless the Griggs Family... Brad McCusker and the entire McCusker Clan "
"Dear Rita and fanily. This Denise Passow. So sorry for yor hugh loss. Chuck was a GREAT FRIEND to my family. Best fond memories of you guys coming to community for pizza. Always a pleasure to see n serve you. Love n prayers, from our hearts. The Dale n Bonnie Passow family."
"Chuck Griggs was the kind of man who treated you fairly regardless of who you were, or where you were in life, and I count on one hand the men I have known in my life that I would say that about. Nothing but respect for the man, and may our creator bring comfort and peace to his family."
"We will always remember Chuck to be a great neighbor, great friend, and enjoyed all the good times from riding bikes to out plowing in the winter,and such fun fall trips. God Bless your family who will miss you . Those we hold most Dear will never truly leave us they will linger in our hearts forever Love Barb and Jim Ertl and Family"
"Dear Rita and family, I am praying for all of you at this difficult time. My heart goes out to you. Chuck was always a person that we Lehigh folks were proud to say we grew up with. He accomplished so very much good for everyone in Webster County, especially with the innovations he spearheaded to dovetail police and sheriff dept services. These improvements resulted in significantly improved services and cost savings. Public service is traditionally a thankless duty that most people don?t understand. I thank all of you for the sacrifices you made as Chuck?s family; I?m certain you felt like the lowest priority at times but because of your patience and support, the citizens of Webster County benefited from a dedicated and selfless sheriff. Thank you, too, Rita, for being there, you and Chuck, to support me when my dear husband passed away. I will never forget your loving kindness. Words cannot adequately express the debt of gratitude and loss I feel at the passing of my long time, home town friend. With love, Sharon Smith Schilling "